US20220001007A1 - Compositions and methods - Google Patents

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US20220001007A1
US20220001007A1 US17/291,879 US201917291879A US2022001007A1 US 20220001007 A1 US20220001007 A1 US 20220001007A1 US 201917291879 A US201917291879 A US 201917291879A US 2022001007 A1 US2022001007 A1 US 2022001007A1
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composition
vzv
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Sarah C. Gilbert
Sarah SEBASTIAN
Marta ULASZEWSKA
Adrian V.S. Hill
Teresa LAMBE
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Oxford University Innovation Ltd
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • A61K39/12Viral antigens
    • A61K39/245Herpetoviridae, e.g. herpes simplex virus
    • A61K39/25Varicella-zoster virus
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K35/00Medicinal preparations containing materials or reaction products thereof with undetermined constitution
    • A61K35/66Microorganisms or materials therefrom
    • A61K35/76Viruses; Subviral particles; Bacteriophages
    • A61K35/761Adenovirus
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61PSPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12Antivirals
    • A61P31/20Antivirals for DNA viruses
    • A61P31/22Antivirals for DNA viruses for herpes viruses
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61PSPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P37/00Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
    • A61P37/02Immunomodulators
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07KPEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/005Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from viruses
    • C07K14/01DNA viruses
    • C07K14/03Herpetoviridae, e.g. pseudorabies virus
    • C07K14/04Varicella-zoster virus
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    • C12N15/00Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/63Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • C12N15/79Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
    • C12N15/85Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for animal cells
    • C12N15/86Viral vectors
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12NMICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/63Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • C12N15/79Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
    • C12N15/85Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for animal cells
    • C12N15/86Viral vectors
    • C12N15/861Adenoviral vectors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12NMICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2710/00MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA dsDNA viruses
    • C12N2710/00011Details
    • C12N2710/10011Adenoviridae
    • C12N2710/10041Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector
    • C12N2710/10043Use of virus, viral particle or viral elements as a vector viral genome or elements thereof as genetic vector

Definitions

  • the invention relates to compositions useful in inducing immune responses against Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV).
  • VZV Varicella-Zoster Virus
  • the invention relates to viral vectors comprising epitope(s) from VZV Gly E protein, such as adenoviral vectors comprising same.
  • VZV Varicella-zoster virus
  • Zoster Virus causes chicken pox, mainly in children.
  • the same virus can re-emerge in adults, usually decades after the primary chickenpox infection, causing the serious disease shingles.
  • Shingles also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. According to the NHS (the U.K.'s National Health Service), it is estimated that approximately one in every four people will have at least one episode of shingles during their life.
  • NHS the U.K.'s National Health Service
  • the main symptom of shingles is pain, followed by a rash that develops into itchy blisters, similar in appearance to chickenpox. New blisters may appear for up to a week, but a few days after appearing they become yellowish in colour, flatten and dry out. Scabs then form where the blisters were, which may leave some slight scarring and loss of skin pigment.
  • the pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation, and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. Patients may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time, and the affected area of skin will usually be tender.
  • shingles may cause some early symptoms that develop a few days before the painful rash first appears, such as a headache, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, a feeling of being generally unwell, and/or a high temperature (fever).
  • An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks. It usually affects a specific area on just one side of the body. It doesn't usually cross over the midline of the body. Any part of your body can be affected, including the face and eyes, but the chest and abdomen are the most common areas.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • Complications of shingles can include meningitis or encephalitis; if shingles affects the eye(s) there is a risk of developing permanent vision problems if the condition isn't treated quickly.
  • EP3210631 discloses a DNA vaccine composition for preventing and treating herpes zoster, and method for activating T cells for VZV antigen by using same.
  • This document describes a DNA vaccine composition for preventing and treating herpes zoster, containing: at least one type of plasmid containing the insertion site of a varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-derived gene encoding a VZV protein; and other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • WO2014/043189 discloses conditionally replication deficient herpes viruses and use thereof in vaccines. Creation of variant or mutagenised herpes viruses and host cells containing rendered conditionally replication defective by the incorporation or fusion of one or more destabilization domains onto one or more genes which are essential for viral replication are described. There is no mention of viral vectors in this document.
  • EP1721981 discloses recombinant varicella-zoster virus prepared using BAC ( E. coli artificial chromosome), and a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a virus.
  • the focus of this document is on identification of non-essential regions in the VZV, in particular wherein the non-essential region is the region flanking the ORF of gene 11, or the region flanking the ORF of gene 12.
  • viral vectors carrying VZV antigen(s) in this document.
  • VLPS varicella zoster virus-virus like particles
  • VZV Varicella Zoster Virus
  • WO2009/012486 discloses varicella zoster virus-virus like particles (VLPS) and antigens.
  • VLP purified virus like particle
  • VZV Varicella Zoster Virus
  • VLPs further comprising at least one additional protein from an infectious agent.
  • the only mention of viral vectors in this document is in paragraphs 0048-0049 as general expression vectors.
  • Prior art vaccines against this virus include ZostavaxTM (made by Merck).
  • the protection from ZostavaxTM is mainly via the antibody response.
  • the European Medicines Agency (EMA) document WC500053460 discusses Zostavax, and it is asserted in the art that the correlation between immune responses and protection against Herpes Zoster (HZ) were observed with gpELISA measurements, while, the results of VZV IFN- ⁇ ELISPOT test had a less clear correlation to the protection.
  • ZostavaxTM is typically given in the UK to all adults at age 70. However, the vaccine is not fully effective, and its usefulness against shingles decreases with age (from 69.8% in adults between the ages of 50-59 years, to 37.6% in those ⁇ 70 years of age). Thus the efficacy is 30-40% which is very poor. This is a problem in the art.
  • the protection given by ZostavaxTM is typically 5 years or less, which is problematically short.
  • the vaccine is not recommended for people with weakened immune systems who are at an increased risk of developing shingles (e.g. patients with HIV). There is, therefore, an unmet need for a vaccine that gives improved protection across all ages, but especially in elderly and immunocompromised populations.
  • ZostavaxTM is a live attenuated virus. Therefore, when given to humans, it causes a limited infection which boosts the immune response in humans without causing the shingles disease. It should be noted that this preparation does not replicate in mice, so when given to mice it is more similar to giving a replication defective virus.
  • SHINGRIXTM is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults aged 50 years and older.
  • SHINGRIXTM is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium.
  • SHINGRIXTM is prepared by reconstituting a lyophilized varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) antigen component with an accompanying AS01B adjuvant suspension component.
  • GE varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E
  • AS01B adjuvant suspension component an accompanying AS01B adjuvant suspension component.
  • SHINGRIXTM is a protein vaccine based on the Gly E antigen. This has to be given as 2 administrations in order to be effective. Each administration has to be given with an adjuvant such as the AS01 adjuvant. This adjuvant is a reactogenic, which can be uncomfortable for patients—85% of recipients report pain on injection.
  • a further drawback with prior art approaches such as the SHINGRIXTM vaccine is that it requires two vials of material to be stored and mixed at the point of administration—in the case of SHINGRIXTM this is a vial of adjuvant and a vial of antigen which are formulated into a single mixture at the point of administration.
  • the invention seeks to overcome problem(s) associated with the prior art.
  • CMI cell-mediated immunity
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • the invention describes an adenovirus—Gly E zoster virus vaccine. It is shown to induce a T-cell response. These vectors can be used in prime boost vaccination regimes. A strong T-cell response is demonstrated by data provided in this application. Thus, the invention provides an advantageous, strong and maintained T-cell response.
  • VZV Varicella zoster virus
  • VZV varicella zoster virus
  • Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).
  • VZV varicella zoster virus
  • Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood diseases and is characterised by a blister-like rash and fever, with more than 90% of the population being exposed during the first two decades of life. Although chickenpox is generally a mild self-limiting illness, in immunocompromised subjects and adults it can be more serious.
  • Zoster or shingles is caused by the reactivation of VZV persisting in a latent form in the dorsal sensory ganglia. Prevention of chickenpox through vaccination is a desirable medicinal intervention.
  • compositions and/or vaccines described herein are not therapeutic i.e. they are not taught as eliminating/eradicating virus. They are taught as vaccine compositions for use in maintaining control of VZV infection(s) and/or preventing resurgence of replicative VZV infection causing shingles. In other words, the compositions are taught as vaccine compositions for use in induction of immune responses from the host organism, not as agents directly acting on the virus itself.
  • references to ‘existing infection’ mean ‘latent infection’ or ‘static infection’ i.e. virus in the lysogenic phase of the lifecycle i.e. a dormant VZV infection (defined as one that is no longer causing an active infection).
  • ‘infection’ has their normal meaning in the art, i.e. active infection or productive virus infection causing disease such as chickenpox or shingles, most suitably shingles. ‘Infection’ would normally have associated viraemia i.e. active infection (rather than latent infection as discussed above).
  • compositions described herein are for use in prevention of resurgent VZV infection, suitably for use in prevention of replicative VZV infection, suitably for use in prevention of disease(s) caused by reactivation of latent VZV infection.
  • the inventors believe that the resurgence of the virus in adults causing shingles can be because of waning T-cell responses/waning number of T-cells against the virus in circulation. For this reason, the inventors teach for the first time that existing approaches (which are based mainly on the antibody response) may not be fit for purpose. For these reasons, the inventors teach the viral vectored constructs as set out in the claims which have the advantage of inducing strong cellular immune responses, for example T-cell responses, and thereby protecting the recipients.
  • the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • the viral vector and the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen are heterologous i.e. suitably the viral vector is not, or is not derived from, VZV.
  • the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • the invention relates to a composition
  • a composition comprising a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • said at least one epitope comprises at least one CD4 T cell epitope and at least one CD8 T cell epitope.
  • said adenoviral vector is of human or simian origin.
  • said adenoviral vector is ChAdOx 1 or ChAdOx 2.
  • composition is adjuvant-free.
  • Gly E antigen has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, suitably SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • polynucleotide sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4, suitably SEQ ID NO: 4.
  • said polynucleotide sequence further comprises the sequence of the bgh polyadenylation signal SEQ ID NO: 6.
  • said polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen is operably connected to the long CMV promoter, suitably the long CMV promoter has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.
  • said viral vector sequence is as in ECACC accession number 12052403 (ChAdOx1).
  • viral vector sequence is as in SEQ ID NO: 5 (ChAdOx2).
  • composition as described above is formulated such that administration of a single dose of said composition to a mammalian subject induces protective immunity in said subject.
  • composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV.
  • said immune response is a cellular immune response.
  • said cellular immune response comprises a NK cell response and/or a T cell response.
  • said cellular immune response comprises a T cell response.
  • said T cell response comprises a CD8+ T cell response.
  • said T cell response comprises a CD4+ T cell response.
  • said T cell response comprises a CD8+ and a CD4+ T cell response.
  • said T cell response comprises a CD4+ T cell response.
  • said T cell response comprises a triple secreting CD4+ T cell response.
  • composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV, wherein a single dose of said composition is administered.
  • composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV, wherein said composition is administered once.
  • the invention advantageously provides a composition which has the advantage of being effective when administered only once.
  • the composition may be administered (readministered) to said subject.
  • said composition may be administered every 5 years, more suitably once every year.
  • composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV, wherein said composition is administered once per 5 years, more suitably once per year.
  • composition as described above is for preventing VZV infection.
  • composition as described above is for prevention of shingles.
  • composition as described above is for preventing VZV infection, or for prevention of shingles, wherein a single dose of said composition is administered.
  • composition as described above is for preventing VZV infection, or for prevention of shingles, wherein said composition is administered once.
  • composition as described above is for use in preventing VZV infection.
  • composition as described above is for use in prevention of shingles.
  • composition as described above is for use in preventing VZV infection, or for use in prevention of shingles, wherein a single dose of said composition is administered.
  • composition as described above is for use in preventing VZV infection, or for use in prevention of shingles, wherein said composition is administered once.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in medicine.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for prevention of VZV infection.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for prevention of shingles.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for induction of, or that induces, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a subject.
  • a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for induction of, or that induces, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a subject.
  • said medicament further induces antibodies to Gly E antigen in said subject.
  • the invention relates to a method of inducing an immune response against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in a mammalian subject, the method comprising administering a composition as described above to said subject.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • the invention relates to a method of preventing shingles in a mammalian subject, the method comprising administering a composition as described above to said subject.
  • a single dose of said composition is administered to said subject.
  • composition is administered once.
  • composition is administered once per 5 years, more suitably once per year.
  • composition is administered by a route of administration selected from a group consisting of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular.
  • a route of administration selected from a group consisting of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular.
  • said administration is intramuscular.
  • composition as described above is for treatment or prevention of chickenpox.
  • the inventors have used an innovative technology, viral vectored vaccines to protect against infectious disease.
  • the inventors use their approach to ‘re-purpose’ a virus by inserting a small part of a different virus (the one that causes the target disease) into a virus vectored backbone.
  • These ‘recombined’ viral vaccines can't replicate and will not cause disease—but can induce a strong immune response toward the inserted or foreign virus segment.
  • the inventors have demonstrated that viral vectored vaccines are safe and can effectively induce an immune response in the older adult and in immune-compromised individuals (HIV infected)—both key populations at risk of developing shingles.
  • VZV the underlying causative agent in shingles
  • the invention provides vectors (suitably viral vectors, most suitably adenoviral vectors), compositions and formulations (such as pharmaceutical compositions, such as medicaments, such as vaccines) suitable for inducing an immune response, suitably a T cell mediated immune response, against a varicella zoster virus (VZV) in a vertebrate subject (suitably a mammal, more suitably a primate, most suitably a human).
  • VZV varicella zoster virus
  • the immune response comprises a cell mediated response.
  • the immune response comprises cell mediated immunity (CMI).
  • CBI cell mediated immunity
  • the immune response comprises induction of CD4+ T cells.
  • the immune response comprises induction of a CD4+ cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response.
  • CTL cytotoxic T cell
  • the immune response comprises both a humoral response and a cell mediated response.
  • the immune response comprises protective immunity.
  • vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding one or more epitopes of the antigen of interest.
  • vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence which is the complement of nucleotide sequence encoding one or more epitopes of the antigen of interest.
  • the one or more epitope(s) is/are T cell epitope(s).
  • the one or more epitope(s) is/are CD4+ T cell epitope(s).
  • the one or more epitope(s) is/are CD8+ T cell epitope(s).
  • the one or more epitope(s) comprise at least one CD4+ T cell epitope and at least one CD8+ T cell epitope.
  • vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding CD4 T cell epitopes of GlyE.
  • vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding CD8 T cell epitopes of GlyE.
  • vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding both CD4 and CD8 T cell epitopes of GlyE.
  • the vector is used to induce both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to GlyE (especially in humans); most suitably to induce both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to GlyE (especially in humans) in addition to antibodies.
  • ChAd vaccines of the invention from prior art such as Shingrix. Moreover this shows another property of the invention that is distinctive and improved over the prior art.
  • Adenoviral vectors have DNA genomes.
  • the nucleic acid is suitably DNA, most suitably dsDNA.
  • the adenoviral vector is of simian or human origin; suitably the adenoviral vector is of chimpanzee or human origin; suitably the adenoviral vector is of chimpanzee origin.
  • nucleotide sequence is DNA sequence.
  • VZV surface antigens glycoprotein E
  • chimp-derived viral vectored vaccines to augment immune responses toward VZV gpE has not been done before, to the best of the inventors' knowledge.
  • viral vectored vaccines are safe and can effectively induce an immune response in the older adult and in immune-compromised individuals (HIV infected)—both key populations at risk of developing shingles.
  • shingles (sometimes referred to as ‘Herpes Zoster’) is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has resolved the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive (dormant) in the nervous system. The immune system keeps the virus in check, but the VZV can be reactivated later in life and cause shingles.
  • VZV varicella zoster virus
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • an alpha herpesvirus an alpha herpesvirus
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • Primary infection results in chickenpox (varicella) a generally mild, self-limiting illness usually acquired in childhood or adolescence and affecting almost all individuals. Following initial primary infection with VZV, the virus remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia. It is assumed that latent virus may frequently reactivate and replicate subclinically. These episodes of transient subclinical viremia lead to repeated antigenic stimulation of immunity without clinical manifestations of disease.
  • HZ herpes zoster
  • shingles herpes zoster
  • HZ is characterized by a unilateral, vesicular rash with a dermatomal distribution that generally corresponds to the area of skin innervated by a single spinal or cranial sensory ganglion.
  • the vesicles crust over in 7 to 10 days, but may take up to a month to heal.
  • pain is considered to be due to VZV induced neuronal destruction and inflammation.
  • HZ-related pain may occur during 3 time periods: —prior to onset of the cutaneous eruption (prodromal pain, typically beginning 3 to 5 days prior to the appearance of skin lesions): —during the period of the acute rash (acute neuritis), and following healing of the acute skin lesions; —beyond cutaneous healing for a prolonged period of time (postherpetic neuralgia, PHN).
  • PHN the most severe sequelae of HZ, occurs in 10-20% of HZ patients and is described by characteristic patterns of pain with the majority of patients experiencing the following patterns—constant pain described as burning, throbbing or aching pain; —intermittent sharp, stabbing, shooting, lancinating pain; —stimulus-evoked pain as allodynia that usually lasts well beyond the duration of the stimulus. Allodynia, which is present in at least 90% of PHN patients, is typically described as the most distressing and debilitating component of HZ.
  • HZ human immunocompetent persons
  • the mechanisms leading to HZ are not well understood, however, one predisposing factor in developing HZ in immunocompetent persons is advancing age.
  • the incidence and severity of HZ increase from 2.5 per 1000 person-years in adults aged 20-50 years to 7.8 per 1000 person-years in those aged >60 years.
  • complications such as PHN which are relatively infrequent in otherwise healthy children and younger adults, occur in almost one-half of older individuals.
  • CMI cell-mediated immunity
  • studies conducted in immunocompromised patients indicate, that low or absent CMI represents a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for the occurrence of HZ.
  • the viral vector (sometimes referred to as ‘vector’) is an adenoviral vector.
  • said coding sequence is present in an adenovirus based vector.
  • said coding sequence is present in an adenoviral vector.
  • Any suitable adeno-based viral vector may be used.
  • the adenoviral vector of the invention may be any adenoviral vector suitable for use in humans.
  • any replication-deficient viral vector for human use preferably derived from a non-human adenovirus may be used.
  • Ad5 may be used for veterinary use.
  • the vector may be ChAdOx1.
  • the vector may be ChAdOx2.
  • ChAdOx1 is described in patent application number WO2012/172277.
  • ChAdOx1 is derived from the “Y25” chimpanzee adenovirus isolate.
  • a replication deficient vector derived from Y25 was taken and the E1 and E3 genes were deleted.
  • E4 was replaced with the corresponding ORFs from human adenovirus 5 (three such ORFs were replaced) which lead to better yields.
  • E4 is involved with viral replication and is not believed to affect immunogenicity/safety.
  • ChAdOx1 is described in Dicks M D J, Spencer A J, Edwards N J, Wadell G, Bojang K, et al. (2012) A Novel Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector with Low Human Seroprevalence: Improved Systems for Vector Derivation and Comparative Immunogenicity.
  • a clone of ChAdOx1 containing GFP is deposited with the ECACC: a sample of E. coli strain SW1029 (a derivative of DH10B) containing bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) containing the cloned genome of AdChOX1 (pBACe3.6 AdChOx1 (E4 modified) TIPeGFP, cell line name “AdChOx1 (E4 modified) TIPeGFP”) was deposited by Isis Innovation Limited on 24 May 2012 with the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) at the Health Protection Agency Culture Collections, Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 oJG, United Kingdom under the Budapest Treaty and designated by provisional accession no. 12052403. Isis Innovation Limited is the former name of the proprietor/applicant of this patent/application.
  • BACs bacterial artificial chromosomes
  • ChAdOx2 is described in patent application WO2017/221031. Similar to ChAdOx1, ChAdOx2 is derived from a C68 isolate of chimpanzee adenovirus. Again a replication defective virus was obtained and the E1 and E3 genes were deleted. The replacement of three E4 ORFs as conducted on ChAdOx1 presented challenges when implemented on ChAdOx2. Therefore, the whole E4 region of ChAdOx2 was replaced with the engineered E4 region of ChAdOx1 (as described above).
  • the nucleotide sequence of the ChAdOx2 vector (with a GatewayTM cassette in the E1 locus) is shown in SEQ ID NO. 5
  • This is a viral vector based on Chimpanzee adenovirus C68.
  • This is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 in GB patent application number 1610967.0—the priority application for WO2017/221031).
  • ChAdOx2 containing GFP is deposited with the ECACC: deposit accession number 16061301 was deposited by Isis Innovation Limited on 13 Jun. 2016 with the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) at the Health Protection Agency Culture Collections, Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 oJG, United Kingdom under the Budapest Treaty. Isis Innovation Limited is the former name of the proprietor/applicant of this patent/application.
  • ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2 are different to some degree, they can be used together in heterologous prime boost regimes (e.g. a ChAdOx1 prime followed by a ChAdOx2 boost, or a ChAdOx2 prime followed by a ChAdOx1 boost).
  • heterologous prime boost regimes e.g. a ChAdOx1 prime followed by a ChAdOx2 boost, or a ChAdOx2 prime followed by a ChAdOx1 boost.
  • adenovirus prime followed by pox virus boost e.g. adenovirus prime followed by pox virus boost
  • pox virus prime followed by adenovirus boost e.g. adenovirus prime followed by pox virus boost
  • manufacture/harvest/purification of viral vectors for compositions of the invention is suitably carried out under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) conditions.
  • the viral vectors of the present invention may be produced in engineered cell lines containing a complement of any deleted genes required for viral replication.
  • the adenoviral vectors according to the present invention suitably further comprise one or more modifications designed to optimise vector growth and yield in transformed cell lines, such as HEK293, expressing the genes functionally deleted in the adenoviral vector according to the present invention.
  • Manufacture of adenoviral vectors is well known in the art. In particular, precise conditions for production of adenoviral vectors such as the ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2 vectors, are described in prior art such as WO2012/172277 or WO2017/221031.
  • the formulation buffer as used for the clinical product is:
  • Alternative buffer e.g. Merck Formulation Buffer A195 (10 mM Tris, 10 mM Histidine, 5% sucrose, 75 mM NaCl, 1 mM MgCl 2 , 0.02% PS-80, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.5% EtOH, pH 7.4).
  • Formulations for other administration routes such as aerosol will be adjusted accordingly by the skilled operator.
  • composition and/or formulation does not comprise adjuvant.
  • adjuvant is omitted from the composition and/or formulation of the invention.
  • the E1 site may be used, suitably with the hCMV IE promoter. Insertion into the E1 site is well within the ambit of the skilled reader; in the event that any guidance was needed reference is made to the description of the ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2 vectors (see above), and/or to WO2012/172277 or WO2017/221031.
  • the short or the long version of the hCMV IE promoter may be used; most suitably the long version as described in WO2008/122811, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference for the teaching of the promoters, particularly the long promoter.
  • Antigen may be constitutively expressed from viral vectors. Indeed, the inventors have shown that viral vectors described herein constitutively expressing the antigen are stable through numerous passages. This is an advantage of the invention. However, if desired, the expression of the antigen may be repressed during manufacture which may lead to better yields and/or may avoid problems with antigen toxicity. This is a matter for operator choice.
  • VZV Varicella-Zoster Virus
  • the invention relates to a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for treatment of VZV infection.
  • treatment is meant control or prevention of resurgence e.g. from dormant virus (sometimes referred to as ‘endogenous virus’ in mammals such as primates e.g. humans).
  • the vector, composition or medicament of the invention is for controlling reactivation of VZV.
  • the vector, composition or medicament is for preventing resurgence of VZV infection.
  • the vector, composition or medicament is for controlling shingles.
  • the vector, composition or medicament is for preventing shingles.
  • a drawback with prior art approaches such as the SHINGRIXTM vaccine is that it requires two vials of material to be stored and mixed at the point of administration—in the case of SHINGRIXTM this is a vial of adjuvant and a vial of antigen which are formulated into a single mixture at the point of administration.
  • the present invention advantageously requires only a single vial of material to be stored/transported/manipulated.
  • T-cell responses are generated, in particular CD4+ T-cell responses.
  • CD8+ T-cell responses are also generated; in some embodiments it is an advantage of the invention that strong antibody responses are also generated; most importantly the invention provides the advantage of generating/enhancing CD4+ T-cell responses.
  • a ‘good’ single shot Ad vaccination will give a response in the 100's; a boost is generally required to get above 1,000 SFU.
  • ‘strong’ suitably means >800 SFU after a single 30 shot (single administration).
  • this can be dose dependent—these comments are in the context of the preferred dose given herein.
  • Previous work with these viral vectors has demonstrated lower immune responses following one-shot immunisation against variant antigen inserts, for example one shot vaccination with monovalent EBOV in preclinical models induces only 200-500 SFU—showing that the invention produces a much stronger response than the prior art.
  • sustained T cell response means at least 16 weeks.
  • the same vectors can be used to re-vaccinate (i.e. to boost) patients. This may be obtained by priming with ChAdOx1 and boosting with ChAdOx2, or priming with ChAdOx2 and boosting with ChAdOx1. Moreover, the same vector may be used for a boost as used for a prime if the boost is carried out at an interval of at least 6 months from the prime. This may be referred to as “homologous prime-boost”.
  • compositions are cheaper than adjuvanted vaccines.
  • Adjuvants are complex preparations and can be expensive, such as 20 USD per administration.
  • the compositions of the invention require only a single component (i.e. the viral vector containing the antigen as described) and are therefore simpler and cheaper, which is an advantage of the invention.
  • immunogenicity is superior to prior art such as ZostavaxTM or ShingrixTM.
  • Gly E antigen (sometimes referred to as “gE”) is meant the “standard” gE antigen sequence of VZV.
  • the original VZV sequence (and strain) used to make the compositions of the invention is suitably the publically disclosed coding sequence as follows: DEFINITION Human herpesvirus 3 isolate 1140VZV glycoprotein E gene, complete cds
  • VZV strain Human herpesvirus 3 strain Oka vaccine strain.
  • the GlyE has the amino acid sequence generated by translating the above-referenced coding sequence (cds) using the universal genetic code, i.e. the amino acid sequence also publically disclosed as
  • Gly E amino acid sequence is GenBank accession number AAP32865.1—SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • a most suitable GlyE amino acid sequence is SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Gly E antigen comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Gly E antigen consists of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Gly E antigen comprises, or consists of, full length Gly E antigen as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Gly E antigen does not comprise any Truncations/Mutations/Tags/Linkers/Fusions compared to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation (bgh-PolyA) signal is a specialised termination sequence for protein expression in eukaryotic cells. This DNA sequence is optionally added to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the GlyE antigen.
  • An exemplary bgh polyadenylation signal has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6.
  • a standard promoter such as the ‘long CMV’ promoter.
  • An exemplary sequence of the ‘long CMV’ promoter is shown in SEQ ID NO: 7.
  • the method is a method of immunising.
  • the invention relates to a composition
  • a composition comprising an adenoviral vector, said adenoviral vector comprising GlyE.
  • the composition does not comprise adjuvant.
  • Adjuvant can cause reactogenicity, especially in primates such as humans.
  • the composition of the invention is effective without adjuvant.
  • adjuvant is omitted.
  • the composition consists of elements other than adjuvant.
  • adjuvant is specifically excluded from the compositions of the invention.
  • the composition is an adjuvant-free composition.
  • the invention may be used in prevention of primary VZV infection which causes chickenpox in children and other susceptible individuals.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in medicine.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for VZV infection.
  • a medicament for VZV infection Suitably said medicament is for controlling VZV infection.
  • said medicament is for preventing resurgence of VZV infection.
  • said medicament is for controlling shingles.
  • said medicament is for preventing shingles.
  • the invention in another aspect, relates to a method for inducing an immune response in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition as described above.
  • the immune response comprises cell mediated immunity.
  • the immune response comprises a T-cell response.
  • the T-cell response comprises a CD4+ T-cell response.
  • the invention in another aspect, relates to a method comprising administering a first composition comprising an adenovirus based vector and a second composition comprising an adenovirus based vector.
  • the invention in another aspect, relates to a method comprising administering a first composition comprising a first adenovirus based vector and a second composition comprising a second adenovirus based vector.
  • composition and the second composition are different.
  • the first adenovirus based vector and the second adenovirus based vector are different.
  • said subject is a mammal.
  • said subject is a primate.
  • said subject is a human.
  • the invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for treatment of VZV infection.
  • the invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for control of VZV infection.
  • the invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for control of dormant VZV infection.
  • the invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for prevention of VZV infection.
  • the invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for prevention of resurgence of VZV infection.
  • composition is an antigenic composition.
  • composition is an immunogenic composition.
  • composition is a vaccine composition.
  • composition is a pharmaceutical composition.
  • composition is formulated for administration to mammals, suitably to primates, most suitably to humans.
  • composition is formulated taking into account its route of administration.
  • composition is formulated to be suitable for the route of administration specified.
  • composition is formulated to be suitable for the route of administration selected by the operator or physician.
  • compositions do not require adjuvant.
  • compositions of the invention for administration advantageously do not comprise adjuvant.
  • adjuvant is omitted from compositions of the invention.
  • compositions of the invention are adjuvant-free.
  • any suitable route of administration may be used.
  • composition is administered by a route of administration selected from a group consisting of intranasal, oral, aerosol, subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular.
  • composition is administered by a route of administration selected from a group consisting of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular.
  • administration is intramuscular.
  • composition of the invention is administered intramuscularly.
  • composition of the invention is formulated for intramuscular administration.
  • composition of the invention is given as a single dose.
  • Viral particles vp/mL. This refers to the count of total viral particles administered.
  • Infectious units i.u./mL. This refers to the number of infectious units administered, and can be correlated more accurately with immunogenicity.
  • a typical range would be 1 ⁇ 10 7 vp to 1 ⁇ 10 11 vp, or 1 ⁇ 10 8 vp to 5 ⁇ 10 11 vp. More suitably a single dose is in the range of 5 ⁇ 10 8 to 5 ⁇ 10 10 viral particles per administration; more suitably in the range of 5 ⁇ 10 9 to 5 ⁇ 10 10 viral particles per administration; more suitably in the range of 2.5 ⁇ 10 10 to 5 ⁇ 10 10 viral particles per administration, for an adult human.
  • the dose is, or is about, 2-5 ⁇ 10 10 viral particles per administration for an adult human.
  • Child doses are suitably determined by a physician with reference to the guidance provided herein for adult doses.
  • Exemplary child dose 1 ⁇ 2 an adult dose or 1 ⁇ 10 10 vp/child.
  • Infectious units will depend on the P:I ratio (viral genome:infectivity particle ratio) for any given preparation as is known in the art.
  • the viral vector of the invention is formulated with simple buffer.
  • An exemplary buffer may be as shown below under the heading ‘Formulation’.
  • composition is administered as a single dose.
  • adult means a subject of at least 18 years of age.
  • child means a subject of less than 18 years of age.
  • composition of the invention may be administered to a subject aged 2 years or more, suitably 18 years or more, suitably 60 years or more, suitably 70 years or more, suitably 79 years or more.
  • Doses are typically determined by a physician taking into account factors such as age, weight, gender or other relevant considerations. Doses given herein are exemplary doses. Unless otherwise indicated, all doses are for ‘adult’ subjects—child doses may be determined from those e.g. a child dose may be 50% of an adult dose, or more suitably a child dose is as described herein.
  • Sequences deposited in databases can change over time.
  • the current version of sequence database(s) are relied upon.
  • the release in force at the date of filing is relied upon.
  • accession numbers may be version/dated accession numbers.
  • the citeable accession numbers for the current database entry are the same as above, but omitting the decimal point and any subsequent digits.
  • GenBank is the NIH genetic sequence database, an annotated collection of all publicly available DNA sequences (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda Md., 20894 USA; Nucleic Acids Research, 2013 January; 41(D1):D36-42) and accession numbers provided relate to this unless otherwise apparent.
  • GenBank database release referred to is 15 Dec. 2017, NCBI-GenBank Release 223.0.
  • UniProt Universal Protein Resource
  • UniProt a hub for protein information
  • Nucleic Acids Res. 43: D204-D212 (2015). Nucleic Acids Res. 43: D204-D212 (2015).
  • compositions of the invention may be used as a chicken pox vaccine, most suitably in children.
  • the invention relates to use of the compositions as described above to prevent chickenpox.
  • the composition is administered to infants and/or children and/or adults in at least one dose; suitably said administration is before exposure to generate a protective immune response.
  • compositions of the invention may be used as vaccines in immune-compromised children.
  • children are given the ZostavaxTM at a lower dose than adults.
  • adenovirus may be used as a prime followed by pox virus as a boost.
  • applying the vaccine to a person having had previous exposure to VZV means that they may have an existing response (e.g. existing immune response against VZV).
  • existing response suitably is meant the individual has been previously pre-exposed to VZV; this will typically be assessed by measuring seroconversion against VZV surface antigens.
  • the U.K. national health service describes it as follows: ‘you can have a blood test to check if you have antibodies to the disease, which proves you've had chickenpox before.’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/when-is-chickenpox-vaccine-needed/#how-to-check-if-youve-had-chickenpox-before Therefore, when a patient has had previous exposure to VZV, administration of the vaccine according to the invention may be regarded as a boost.
  • the invention may be considered as teaching the use of adenovirus vector as a boost which is a departure from the prior art which teaches that pox viral vectors are best for boosting.
  • VZV from an earlier infection can remain dormant in a patient's body, such as in the nervous system, and can re-emerge as shingles later in life.
  • a ‘dormant’ VZV infection may be defined as one that is no longer causing an active infection.
  • the invention relates to a composition for administration to a mammal comprising an adenoviral vector as described above.
  • the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector of human or simian origin.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one CD4 T cell and one CD8 T cell epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector of human or simian origin.
  • VZV varicella-zoster virus
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament that induces both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a vaccinated subject.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament that induces both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a vaccinated subject, where that subject is a human.
  • the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament that induces both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and antibodies to Gly E antigen in a vaccinated subject, where that subject is a human.
  • One focus of the invention is the provision of the gE antigen in the context of an adeno vector such as a ChAdOx vector.
  • the invention relates to a method for boosting pre-existing immune response(s) to VZV in a mammal, by administering a composition as described above to said mammal.
  • the invention relates to a composition as described above for use in boosting pre-existing immune response(s) to VZV in a mammal. Whether or not a mammal possesses pre-existing immune response(s) to VZV may be determined by assessing seroconversion against VZV surface antigens as described above.
  • a key demonstration of the improvement delivered by the invention is based on the data such as efficacy data shown herein.
  • the inventors are generating excellent T cell responses with the vector of the invention.
  • the existing ZostavaxTM vaccine has focused on the antibody response.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plot
  • FIG. 2 shows a bar chart
  • FIG. 3 shows a graph
  • FIG. 4 shows a plot
  • FIG. 5 shows a sequence alignment.
  • Insert means SEQ ID NO: 4 (i.e. an exemplary nucleotide sequence encoding the antigen cassette).
  • AY253715.1 means SEQ ID NO: 3 (i.e. the wild type nucleotide sequence encoding the GlyE antigen).
  • FIG. 6 shows a sequence alignment (CLUSTAL 0(1.2.4) multiple sequence alignment).
  • vaccine means SEQ ID NO: 2 (i.e. an exemplary VZV GlyE amino acid sequence antigen cassette).
  • AY253715.1 means SEQ ID NO: 1 (i.e. the wild type VZV GlyE amino acid sequence).
  • FIG. 7 shows a photograph
  • FIG. 8 shows a plot and a graph
  • FIG. 9 shows four graphs
  • FIG. 10 shows a graph
  • FIG. 11 shows a graph and two plots
  • FIG. 12 shows a bar chart
  • FIG. 13 shows a bar chart
  • FIG. 14 shows a plot
  • FIG. 15 shows a plot
  • FIG. 1 We refer to FIG. 1 .
  • Splenocytes were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis.
  • FIG. 2 We refer to FIG. 2 .
  • mice 8 wk + old or aged ex-breeder female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1.00E+07 iu of ChAdOX1-VZV-gE Mice were culled approx. 2 weeks later and spleen ELISpot performed with peptides spanning the entire VZV gE insert.
  • This test is in aged mice.
  • FIG. 3 We refer to FIG. 3 .
  • mice 8 wk + old female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with ChAdOX1-VZV-gE—group 1. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE ChAdOX2-VZV-gE—group 2. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE.
  • the inventors note that there is no significant difference in responses in FIG. 4 after one shot antibody responses as 2 weeks or 16 weeks.
  • mice were culled approx. 2 weeks later and spleen ELISpot performed with peptides spanning the entire VZV gE insert.
  • lane 3 represents a “one-shot” scheme
  • lanes 2 and 3 ‘filled boxes’ represent ‘homologous prime-boost’ schemes
  • lanes 2 and 3 ‘filled circle’ represent ‘heterologous prime-boost’ schemes. It could be argued that a heterologous second shot does not show augmentation—however, augmentation might be expected to show at a later time point—this is considered to be due to a response-curve effect.
  • ChAdOx1-VZV-gE were not significantly different across in young or aged animals for single-administration applications.
  • a preferred interval between prime and boost is 4 weeks; when prime and boost are both Ad vectors, the interval may be for example 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks.
  • mice model system for testing these vaccines it should be noted that a 25 non-replicating zoster virus can give the same response as a replicating zoster virus in humans. Therefore, the mouse data presented herein do indeed represent a fair comparison since although the prior art ZostavaxTM does induce a limited infection in humans which is important to boosting the immune response, neither the adenoviral vector constructs of the invention nor the Zostavax prior art comparator can replicate 30 in mice, and therefore the data provided in the application comparing those to formulations in mice are indeed fair and indicative of the superior properties of the vectors according to the invention.
  • Example 2 Vectors of the Invention Express Efficiently
  • compositions of the invention produce expression of the antigen in human cells.
  • FIG. 8A We demonstrate cellular immunogenicity after one-shot vaccination against VZV.
  • ELISpot data show that a cellular immune response, as demonstrated by the T cell response, is induced according to the invention.
  • the response is evident at 2 weeks.
  • the response is induced by a single administration.
  • the response is induced by a single dose.
  • the response is a sustained response as shown by the data at the 16 week timepoints.
  • ICS Intracellular Cytokine Staining
  • FIG. 9A shows the percentage of CD8+ T cells secreting IFN- ⁇ after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 9B shows the percentage of CD4+ T cells secreting IFN- ⁇ after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 9C shows the percentage of IFN- ⁇ +CD8+ T cells secreting TNF ⁇ and/or IL2 after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 9D shows the percentage of IFN- ⁇ +CD4+ T cells secreting TNF ⁇ and/or IL2 after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 10 shows humoral immunity after one-shot vaccination against VZV.
  • Sera were collected at the times indicated after final vaccination and the humoral immune response toward affinity purified glycoproteins of Varizella Zoster Virus (Strain Ellen) were measured by ELISA.
  • FIGS. 8B, 9 and 10 show data from the same experiments.
  • the immunisations according to the present invention are also effective in raising/inducing antibody titers, despite the one-shot administration. It is a surprising benefit that the invention is as good as prior art compositions such as Zostavax for the induction of antibody responses.
  • FIG. 11A We refer to FIG. 11A .
  • mice 8 wk + old female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with ChAdOX1-VZV-gE—group 1. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE ChAdOX2-VZV-gE—group 2. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE.
  • Splenocytes were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis.
  • Sera were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the humoral immune response toward affinity purified glycoproteins of Varizella Zoster Virus (Strain Ellen) were measured by ELISA.
  • the inventors compare the composition of the invention to prior art ShingrixTM across 3 doses and after one shot.
  • FIG. 14 The mean and standard error of the mean are depicted.
  • FIG. 15 The mean and standard error of the mean are depicted.
  • NK cells were collected approximately four weeks after final vaccination and analysed for NK maturity and secretion of cytokines.
  • Kruskal-Wallis analysis with Dunn's multiple comparison test demonstrates that NK cells after a prime-boost vaccination of 1.3 ⁇ 10 3 pfu Zostax followed by 1 ⁇ 10 7 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE secrete more IFN-g (Group 3) when compared to the Shringix vaccination (Group 1).
  • This is not expected and offers an advantage, NK cell activation has previously been demonstrated to augment the adaptive immune response and this strong induction of the innate immune response by ChAdOx1-VZVgpE after a Zostavax prime is not expected. Additionally, NK cells have been demonstrated to be critically important in mediating immunity against VZV infection (PMID; 2543925, 30565241).
  • Gly E sequence having similarity to antigen insert SEQ ID NO: 1 of 50% or less may be used. In one embodiment Gly E sequence having similarity to antigen insert SEQ ID NO: 1 of 50% or more may be used, suitably 60% or more, suitably 70% or more, suitably 80% or more, suitably 90% or more, suitably 95% or more.
  • SEQ ID NO: 1 exemplary Gly E sequence-GenBank accession number AAP32865.1- (>A7P32865.1 glycoprotein E [Human alphaherpesvirus 3])(also known as the amino acid sequence encoded by GenBank nucleotide accession number AY253715.1): MGTVNKPVVGVLMGFGIITGTLRITNPVRASVLRYDDFHIDEDKLDTNSVYEPYYHSDHAESSWVNRGESSRKAYDHN SPYIWPRNDYDGFLENAHEHHGVYNQGRGIDSGERLMQPTQMSAQEDLGDDTGIHVIPTLNGDDRHKIVNVDQRQYGD VFKGDLNPKPQGQRLIEVSVEENHPFTLRAPIQRIYGVRYTETWSFLPSLTCTGDAAPAIQHICLKHTTCFQDVVVDV DCAENTKEDQLAEISYRFQGKKEADQPWIVVNTSTLFDELELDPPEIEPGV

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Abstract

The invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector. The invention also relates to uses, compositions for use in medical treatments, and methods of medical treatment.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The invention relates to compositions useful in inducing immune responses against Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). In particular the invention relates to viral vectors comprising epitope(s) from VZV Gly E protein, such as adenoviral vectors comprising same.
  • BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV or “Zoster Virus”) causes chicken pox, mainly in children. However, more importantly, the same virus can re-emerge in adults, usually decades after the primary chickenpox infection, causing the serious disease shingles.
  • Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection of a nerve and the skin around it. According to the NHS (the U.K.'s National Health Service), it is estimated that approximately one in every four people will have at least one episode of shingles during their life.
  • The main symptom of shingles is pain, followed by a rash that develops into itchy blisters, similar in appearance to chickenpox. New blisters may appear for up to a week, but a few days after appearing they become yellowish in colour, flatten and dry out. Scabs then form where the blisters were, which may leave some slight scarring and loss of skin pigment. The pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation, and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. Patients may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time, and the affected area of skin will usually be tender. In some cases shingles may cause some early symptoms that develop a few days before the painful rash first appears, such as a headache, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, a feeling of being generally unwell, and/or a high temperature (fever).
  • An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks. It usually affects a specific area on just one side of the body. It doesn't usually cross over the midline of the body. Any part of your body can be affected, including the face and eyes, but the chest and abdomen are the most common areas.
  • With life expectancy in the UK now above eighty years of age, long term health maintenance is a key aim of modern healthcare. Medical developments which specifically target impactful illnesses occurring more frequently in the older adult, such as shingles, will play a critical role in lowering the burden of disease and associated healthcare demands.
  • More than 90% of adults have been infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and therefore are at risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster). Although shingles is most frequent in older adults (>50 years of age), it can occur at any age and especially in people who are immune-compromised (have a weakened immune system). Normally, the immune system can control the virus, but later in life VZV can be reactivated and result in shingles. It is not clear why this may happen but it could be linked to immunosenescence (a gradual deterioration of the immune system brought on by aging). The development of vaccines that specifically protect against illnesses that target the older adult is a key healthcare initiative.
  • It is desirable to reduce the severity of symptoms and/or the risk of developing complications. Complications of shingles can include meningitis or encephalitis; if shingles affects the eye(s) there is a risk of developing permanent vision problems if the condition isn't treated quickly.
  • EP3210631 discloses a DNA vaccine composition for preventing and treating herpes zoster, and method for activating T cells for VZV antigen by using same. This document describes a DNA vaccine composition for preventing and treating herpes zoster, containing: at least one type of plasmid containing the insertion site of a varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-derived gene encoding a VZV protein; and other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients. There is no mention of viral vectors in this document.
  • WO2014/043189 discloses conditionally replication deficient herpes viruses and use thereof in vaccines. Creation of variant or mutagenised herpes viruses and host cells containing rendered conditionally replication defective by the incorporation or fusion of one or more destabilization domains onto one or more genes which are essential for viral replication are described. There is no mention of viral vectors in this document.
  • EP1721981 discloses recombinant varicella-zoster virus prepared using BAC (E. coli artificial chromosome), and a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a virus. The focus of this document is on identification of non-essential regions in the VZV, in particular wherein the non-essential region is the region flanking the ORF of gene 11, or the region flanking the ORF of gene 12. There is no mention of viral vectors carrying VZV antigen(s) in this document.
  • WO2009/012486 discloses varicella zoster virus-virus like particles (VLPS) and antigens. In particular this document describes a purified virus like particle (VLP) from Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) comprising VZV gE protein, but does not include VZV nucleic acid or a yeast Ty protein. The focus of this document is on VLPs further comprising at least one additional protein from an infectious agent. The only mention of viral vectors in this document is in paragraphs 0048-0049 as general expression vectors.
  • Prior art vaccines against this virus include Zostavax™ (made by Merck). The protection from Zostavax™ is mainly via the antibody response. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) document WC500053460 discusses Zostavax, and it is asserted in the art that the correlation between immune responses and protection against Herpes Zoster (HZ) were observed with gpELISA measurements, while, the results of VZV IFN-γ ELISPOT test had a less clear correlation to the protection. Zostavax™ is typically given in the UK to all adults at age 70. However, the vaccine is not fully effective, and its usefulness against shingles decreases with age (from 69.8% in adults between the ages of 50-59 years, to 37.6% in those ≥70 years of age). Thus the efficacy is 30-40% which is very poor. This is a problem in the art. In addition, the protection given by Zostavax™ is typically 5 years or less, which is problematically short.
  • Furthermore, the vaccine is not recommended for people with weakened immune systems who are at an increased risk of developing shingles (e.g. patients with HIV). There is, therefore, an unmet need for a vaccine that gives improved protection across all ages, but especially in elderly and immunocompromised populations.
  • Zostavax™ is a live attenuated virus. Therefore, when given to humans, it causes a limited infection which boosts the immune response in humans without causing the shingles disease. It should be noted that this preparation does not replicate in mice, so when given to mice it is more similar to giving a replication defective virus.
  • SHINGRIX™ is a vaccine indicated for prevention of herpes zoster (shingles) in adults aged 50 years and older. SHINGRIX™ is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium. SHINGRIX™ is prepared by reconstituting a lyophilized varicella zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE) antigen component with an accompanying AS01B adjuvant suspension component. Thus, SHINGRIX™ is a protein vaccine based on the Gly E antigen. This has to be given as 2 administrations in order to be effective. Each administration has to be given with an adjuvant such as the AS01 adjuvant. This adjuvant is a reactogenic, which can be uncomfortable for patients—85% of recipients report pain on injection. Side effects of SHINGRIX™ which may occur include redness, itching, swelling, warmth, bruising, or pain at the injection site. Headache, muscle pain, tiredness, or fever may also occur. Moreover, the reactogenicity can cause a secondary problem of compliance. This is because the reaction experienced after administering the vaccine tends to put patients off from returning for their second dose, yet the second dose is needed in order to complete the recommended regimen and associated level of protection. This is a problem in the art.
  • A further drawback with prior art approaches such as the SHINGRIX™ vaccine is that it requires two vials of material to be stored and mixed at the point of administration—in the case of SHINGRIX™ this is a vial of adjuvant and a vial of antigen which are formulated into a single mixture at the point of administration.
  • In the US, the list price for Zostavax is $196.91 per dose in the private sector and $117.12 per dose for CDC vaccine contracts. In terms of reimbursement, Zostavax is covered by most private health insurers in the US (98%) for adults age ≥60 years (although some plans may require patient co-pay). The vaccine is also covered by Medicare for adults aged ≥65 years, although it would be under Part D (which often has co-pay requirements and out-of-pocket expenses). Moreover, commentators identify Shingrix's 2-dose administration and its tolerability profile to be potential weaknesses. Thus there are persisting problems with prior art approaches.
  • The invention seeks to overcome problem(s) associated with the prior art.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Lack of adequate cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) has been associated with higher risks of developing shingles and associated pain.
  • The invention describes an adenovirus—Gly E zoster virus vaccine. It is shown to induce a T-cell response. These vectors can be used in prime boost vaccination regimes. A strong T-cell response is demonstrated by data provided in this application. Thus, the invention provides an advantageous, strong and maintained T-cell response.
  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and Zoster (shingles). Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). Chickenpox is one of the most common childhood diseases and is characterised by a blister-like rash and fever, with more than 90% of the population being exposed during the first two decades of life. Although chickenpox is generally a mild self-limiting illness, in immunocompromised subjects and adults it can be more serious. Zoster or shingles is caused by the reactivation of VZV persisting in a latent form in the dorsal sensory ganglia. Prevention of chickenpox through vaccination is a desirable medicinal intervention.
  • It should be noted that the compositions and/or vaccines described herein are not therapeutic i.e. they are not taught as eliminating/eradicating virus. They are taught as vaccine compositions for use in maintaining control of VZV infection(s) and/or preventing resurgence of replicative VZV infection causing shingles. In other words, the compositions are taught as vaccine compositions for use in induction of immune responses from the host organism, not as agents directly acting on the virus itself. The compositions as useful to induce protection against an initial infection as in chickenpox, and/or to induce protection against reactivation of a latent virus (sometimes called ‘dormant virus’) as in shingles.
  • Suitably references to ‘existing infection’ mean ‘latent infection’ or ‘static infection’ i.e. virus in the lysogenic phase of the lifecycle i.e. a dormant VZV infection (defined as one that is no longer causing an active infection).
  • Suitably references to ‘infection’ have their normal meaning in the art, i.e. active infection or productive virus infection causing disease such as chickenpox or shingles, most suitably shingles. ‘Infection’ would normally have associated viraemia i.e. active infection (rather than latent infection as discussed above).
  • Suitably the compositions described herein are for use in prevention of resurgent VZV infection, suitably for use in prevention of replicative VZV infection, suitably for use in prevention of disease(s) caused by reactivation of latent VZV infection.
  • Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that the resurgence of the virus in adults causing shingles can be because of waning T-cell responses/waning number of T-cells against the virus in circulation. For this reason, the inventors teach for the first time that existing approaches (which are based mainly on the antibody response) may not be fit for purpose. For these reasons, the inventors teach the viral vectored constructs as set out in the claims which have the advantage of inducing strong cellular immune responses, for example T-cell responses, and thereby protecting the recipients.
  • In a broad aspect, the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen. Suitably the viral vector and the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen are heterologous i.e. suitably the viral vector is not, or is not derived from, VZV.
  • Suitably the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
  • Suitably said at least one epitope comprises at least one CD4 T cell epitope and at least one CD8 T cell epitope.
  • Suitably said adenoviral vector is of human or simian origin.
  • Suitably said adenoviral vector is ChAdOx 1 or ChAdOx 2.
  • Suitably said composition is adjuvant-free.
  • Suitably said Gly E antigen has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, suitably SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Suitably said polynucleotide sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4, suitably SEQ ID NO: 4.
  • Suitably said polynucleotide sequence further comprises the sequence of the bgh polyadenylation signal SEQ ID NO: 6.
  • Suitably said polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen is operably connected to the long CMV promoter, suitably the long CMV promoter has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.
  • Suitably said viral vector sequence is as in ECACC accession number 12052403 (ChAdOx1).
  • Suitably said viral vector sequence is as in SEQ ID NO: 5 (ChAdOx2).
  • Suitably administration of a single dose of said composition to a mammalian subject induces protective immunity in said subject.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is formulated such that administration of a single dose of said composition to a mammalian subject induces protective immunity in said subject.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV.
  • Suitably said immune response is a cellular immune response. Suitably said cellular immune response comprises a NK cell response and/or a T cell response. Suitably said cellular immune response comprises a T cell response. Suitably said T cell response comprises a CD8+ T cell response. Suitably said T cell response comprises a CD4+ T cell response. More suitably said T cell response comprises a CD8+ and a CD4+ T cell response. Most suitably said T cell response comprises a CD4+ T cell response. Suitably said T cell response comprises a triple secreting CD4+ T cell response.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV, wherein a single dose of said composition is administered.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV, wherein said composition is administered once.
  • The invention advantageously provides a composition which has the advantage of being effective when administered only once. However, in one embodiment, if the immune response in a subject wanes over time then suitably the composition may be administered (readministered) to said subject. For example, said composition may be administered every 5 years, more suitably once every year.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for induction of an immune response against VZV, wherein said composition is administered once per 5 years, more suitably once per year.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for preventing VZV infection.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for prevention of shingles.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for preventing VZV infection, or for prevention of shingles, wherein a single dose of said composition is administered.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for preventing VZV infection, or for prevention of shingles, wherein said composition is administered once.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for use in preventing VZV infection.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for use in prevention of shingles.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for use in preventing VZV infection, or for use in prevention of shingles, wherein a single dose of said composition is administered.
  • Suitably the composition as described above is for use in preventing VZV infection, or for use in prevention of shingles, wherein said composition is administered once.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in medicine.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for prevention of VZV infection.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for prevention of shingles.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for induction of, or that induces, both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a subject. Suitably said medicament further induces antibodies to Gly E antigen in said subject.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of inducing an immune response against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in a mammalian subject, the method comprising administering a composition as described above to said subject.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of preventing shingles in a mammalian subject, the method comprising administering a composition as described above to said subject.
  • Suitably a single dose of said composition is administered to said subject.
  • Suitably said composition is administered once.
  • Suitably said composition is administered once per 5 years, more suitably once per year.
  • Suitably said composition is administered by a route of administration selected from a group consisting of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular. Suitably said administration is intramuscular.
  • In one embodiment suitably the composition as described above is for treatment or prevention of chickenpox.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The inventors have used an innovative technology, viral vectored vaccines to protect against infectious disease. The inventors use their approach to ‘re-purpose’ a virus by inserting a small part of a different virus (the one that causes the target disease) into a virus vectored backbone. These ‘recombined’ viral vaccines can't replicate and will not cause disease—but can induce a strong immune response toward the inserted or foreign virus segment. The inventors have demonstrated that viral vectored vaccines are safe and can effectively induce an immune response in the older adult and in immune-compromised individuals (HIV infected)—both key populations at risk of developing shingles.
  • Here we teach viral vectored vaccines toward VZV (the underlying causative agent in shingles) and we test these vaccines and show that they can induce an immune response in appropriate models.
  • In the art, recent data suggest that a newly developed vaccine (Shingrix™—adjuvanted protein) toward shingles can induce protective efficacy toward shingles, if given as repeated immunizations. Unfortunately, the main use of adjuvants (i.e. to induce strong immune responses) can as a corollary induce adverse reactions, which is a problem in the art. Advantageously, whilst viral vectored vaccines of the invention can induce similarly strong immune responses, limited or minimal adverse reactions are seen post-vaccination.
  • We have generated viral vectored vaccines toward VZV tested that these vaccines can induce an immune response in appropriate models.
  • We teach various vaccination regimens to induce strong and long-lived immunity toward VZV.
  • We have generated VZV-vaccines and vaccination studies have demonstrated stronger cell-mediated immunity (CMI) than that achieved with the current licensed vaccine known in the art.
  • As used herein, the term ‘about’ means +/−1% of the value given.
  • The invention provides vectors (suitably viral vectors, most suitably adenoviral vectors), compositions and formulations (such as pharmaceutical compositions, such as medicaments, such as vaccines) suitable for inducing an immune response, suitably a T cell mediated immune response, against a varicella zoster virus (VZV) in a vertebrate subject (suitably a mammal, more suitably a primate, most suitably a human).
  • Suitably the immune response comprises a cell mediated response.
  • Suitably the immune response comprises cell mediated immunity (CMI).
  • Suitably the immune response comprises induction of CD4+ T cells.
  • Suitably the immune response comprises induction of a CD4+ cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response.
  • In one embodiment the immune response comprises both a humoral response and a cell mediated response.
  • Suitably the immune response comprises protective immunity.
  • Suitably vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding one or more epitopes of the antigen of interest. In one embodiment suitably vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence which is the complement of nucleotide sequence encoding one or more epitopes of the antigen of interest.
  • Suitably the one or more epitope(s) is/are T cell epitope(s). Suitably the one or more epitope(s) is/are CD4+ T cell epitope(s). Suitably the one or more epitope(s) is/are CD8+ T cell epitope(s). Suitably the one or more epitope(s) comprise at least one CD4+ T cell epitope and at least one CD8+ T cell epitope.
  • Suitably vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding CD4 T cell epitopes of GlyE.
  • Suitably vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding CD8 T cell epitopes of GlyE.
  • Suitably vector(s) of the invention comprise nucleic acid having polynucleotide sequence encoding both CD4 and CD8 T cell epitopes of GlyE.
  • Suitably the vector is used to induce both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to GlyE (especially in humans); most suitably to induce both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to GlyE (especially in humans) in addition to antibodies.
  • This further distinguishes the ChAd vaccines of the invention from prior art such as Shingrix. Moreover this shows another property of the invention that is distinctive and improved over the prior art.
  • Adenoviral vectors have DNA genomes. Thus the nucleic acid is suitably DNA, most suitably dsDNA.
  • Suitably the adenoviral vector is of simian or human origin; suitably the adenoviral vector is of chimpanzee or human origin; suitably the adenoviral vector is of chimpanzee origin.
  • Suitably the nucleotide sequence is DNA sequence.
  • In one embodiment we provide one of the main VZV surface antigens, glycoprotein E, cloned into a ChAdOx1 viral vector backbone. Expression is driven by the long CMV promoter. The use of chimp-derived viral vectored vaccines to augment immune responses toward VZV gpE has not been done before, to the best of the inventors' knowledge. Critically, we have also demonstrated that viral vectored vaccines are safe and can effectively induce an immune response in the older adult and in immune-compromised individuals (HIV infected)—both key populations at risk of developing shingles.
  • Shingles (Herpes Zoster) and Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • As noted above, shingles (sometimes referred to as ‘Herpes Zoster’) is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. Most people have chickenpox in childhood, but after the illness has resolved the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive (dormant) in the nervous system. The immune system keeps the virus in check, but the VZV can be reactivated later in life and cause shingles.
  • Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is not well understood why the shingles virus is reactivated at a later stage in life, but most cases are thought to be caused by having lowered immunity.
  • In more detail, infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV), an alpha herpesvirus, is associated with two distinct diseases; varicella and herpes zoster. Primary infection results in chickenpox (varicella) a generally mild, self-limiting illness usually acquired in childhood or adolescence and affecting almost all individuals. Following initial primary infection with VZV, the virus remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia. It is assumed that latent virus may frequently reactivate and replicate subclinically. These episodes of transient subclinical viremia lead to repeated antigenic stimulation of immunity without clinical manifestations of disease. In some individuals, however, reactivation and replication of the latent virus result in the clinical manifestation of herpes zoster (HZ), which is often referred to as shingles. HZ is characterized by a unilateral, vesicular rash with a dermatomal distribution that generally corresponds to the area of skin innervated by a single spinal or cranial sensory ganglion. Typically, the vesicles crust over in 7 to 10 days, but may take up to a month to heal. One of the most significant clinical manifestations of HZ is pain, which is considered to be due to VZV induced neuronal destruction and inflammation. HZ-related pain may occur during 3 time periods: —prior to onset of the cutaneous eruption (prodromal pain, typically beginning 3 to 5 days prior to the appearance of skin lesions): —during the period of the acute rash (acute neuritis), and following healing of the acute skin lesions; —beyond cutaneous healing for a prolonged period of time (postherpetic neuralgia, PHN). PHN, the most severe sequelae of HZ, occurs in 10-20% of HZ patients and is described by characteristic patterns of pain with the majority of patients experiencing the following patterns—constant pain described as burning, throbbing or aching pain; —intermittent sharp, stabbing, shooting, lancinating pain; —stimulus-evoked pain as allodynia that usually lasts well beyond the duration of the stimulus. Allodynia, which is present in at least 90% of PHN patients, is typically described as the most distressing and debilitating component of HZ.
  • The mechanisms leading to HZ are not well understood, however, one predisposing factor in developing HZ in immunocompetent persons is advancing age. The incidence and severity of HZ increase from 2.5 per 1000 person-years in adults aged 20-50 years to 7.8 per 1000 person-years in those aged >60 years. Furthermore, complications such as PHN, which are relatively infrequent in otherwise healthy children and younger adults, occur in almost one-half of older individuals. It is postulated that the age-related increase in the risk of HZ among otherwise healthy elderly subjects is attributed to immunosenescence and has been correlated with a diminished cell-mediated immunity (CMI), but not with the level of circulating VZV specific serum antibodies. However, studies conducted in immunocompromised patients indicate, that low or absent CMI represents a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for the occurrence of HZ.
  • Viral Vectors
  • Suitably the viral vector (sometimes referred to as ‘vector’) is an adenoviral vector.
  • Suitably said coding sequence is present in an adenovirus based vector. In other words, suitably said coding sequence is present in an adenoviral vector.
  • Any suitable adeno-based viral vector may be used.
  • The adenoviral vector of the invention may be any adenoviral vector suitable for use in humans.
  • In more detail, any replication-deficient viral vector, for human use preferably derived from a non-human adenovirus may be used. For veterinary use Ad5 may be used.
  • Suitably the vector may be ChAdOx1.
  • Suitably the vector may be ChAdOx2.
  • ChAdOx1
  • ChAdOx1 is described in patent application number WO2012/172277. In brief ChAdOx1 is derived from the “Y25” chimpanzee adenovirus isolate. A replication deficient vector derived from Y25 was taken and the E1 and E3 genes were deleted. In order to improve yields, some ORFs in E4 were replaced with the corresponding ORFs from human adenovirus 5 (three such ORFs were replaced) which lead to better yields. E4 is involved with viral replication and is not believed to affect immunogenicity/safety.
  • In more detail, ChAdOx1 is described in Dicks M D J, Spencer A J, Edwards N J, Wadell G, Bojang K, et al. (2012) A Novel Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector with Low Human Seroprevalence: Improved Systems for Vector Derivation and Comparative Immunogenicity. PLoS ONE 7(7): e40385, and in WO2012/172277. Both these documents are hereby incorporated herein by reference, in particular for the specific teachings of the ChAdOx1 vector, including its construction and manufacture.
  • In addition, a clone of ChAdOx1 containing GFP is deposited with the ECACC: a sample of E. coli strain SW1029 (a derivative of DH10B) containing bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) containing the cloned genome of AdChOX1 (pBACe3.6 AdChOx1 (E4 modified) TIPeGFP, cell line name “AdChOx1 (E4 modified) TIPeGFP”) was deposited by Isis Innovation Limited on 24 May 2012 with the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) at the Health Protection Agency Culture Collections, Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 oJG, United Kingdom under the Budapest Treaty and designated by provisional accession no. 12052403. Isis Innovation Limited is the former name of the proprietor/applicant of this patent/application.
  • ChAdOx2
  • ChAdOx2 is described in patent application WO2017/221031. Similar to ChAdOx1, ChAdOx2 is derived from a C68 isolate of chimpanzee adenovirus. Again a replication defective virus was obtained and the E1 and E3 genes were deleted. The replacement of three E4 ORFs as conducted on ChAdOx1 presented challenges when implemented on ChAdOx2. Therefore, the whole E4 region of ChAdOx2 was replaced with the engineered E4 region of ChAdOx1 (as described above).
  • In more detail, The nucleotide sequence of the ChAdOx2 vector (with a Gateway™ cassette in the E1 locus) is shown in SEQ ID NO. 5 This is a viral vector based on Chimpanzee adenovirus C68. (This is the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10 in GB patent application number 1610967.0—the priority application for WO2017/221031).
  • In addition, a clone of ChAdOx2 containing GFP is deposited with the ECACC: deposit accession number 16061301 was deposited by Isis Innovation Limited on 13 Jun. 2016 with the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) at the Health Protection Agency Culture Collections, Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 oJG, United Kingdom under the Budapest Treaty. Isis Innovation Limited is the former name of the proprietor/applicant of this patent/application.
  • Therefore, because ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2 are different to some degree, they can be used together in heterologous prime boost regimes (e.g. a ChAdOx1 prime followed by a ChAdOx2 boost, or a ChAdOx2 prime followed by a ChAdOx1 boost). Of course, either of these vectors may be used in conventional heterologous prime boost regimes for example adenovirus prime followed by pox virus boost, or pox virus prime followed by adenovirus boost.
  • Manufacture of vaccine doses from ChAdOx1/ChAdOx2 is identical. Therefore, techniques described herein for manipulation/amplification/preparation of ChAdOx vectors may apply equally to ChAdOx1 and/or ChAdOx2.
  • Whilst the general principles of manufacture are identical, there will be some minor differences in the exact conditions for downstream processing due to slightly different charge on the virions. This is well within routine variations for a person skilled in the art of virus production.
  • In brief, manufacture/harvest/purification of viral vectors for compositions of the invention is suitably carried out under GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) conditions. The viral vectors of the present invention may be produced in engineered cell lines containing a complement of any deleted genes required for viral replication. The adenoviral vectors according to the present invention suitably further comprise one or more modifications designed to optimise vector growth and yield in transformed cell lines, such as HEK293, expressing the genes functionally deleted in the adenoviral vector according to the present invention. Manufacture of adenoviral vectors is well known in the art. In particular, precise conditions for production of adenoviral vectors such as the ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2 vectors, are described in prior art such as WO2012/172277 or WO2017/221031.
  • FORMULATION
  • The formulation buffer, as used for the clinical product is:
  • Formulation Buffer Components
    • 1. 10 mM Histidine
    • 2. 7-5% Sucrose
    • 3. 35 mM Sodium chloride
    • 4. 1 mM Magnesium chloride
    • 5. 0.1% Polysorbate 80
    • 6. 0.1 mM EDTA
    • 7. 0.5% Ethanol
    • 8. Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment to ˜pH 6.6)
  • Formulated in water for injection Ph Eur.
  • Other formulations may be used, for example Alternative buffer e.g. Merck Formulation Buffer A195 (10 mM Tris, 10 mM Histidine, 5% sucrose, 75 mM NaCl, 1 mM MgCl2, 0.02% PS-80, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.5% EtOH, pH 7.4).
  • Formulations for other administration routes such as aerosol will be adjusted accordingly by the skilled operator.
  • Suitably the composition and/or formulation does not comprise adjuvant. Suitably adjuvant is omitted from the composition and/or formulation of the invention.
  • Antigen Insertion
  • For insertion of the nucleotide sequence encoding Gly E antigen, suitably the E1 site may be used, suitably with the hCMV IE promoter. Insertion into the E1 site is well within the ambit of the skilled reader; in the event that any guidance was needed reference is made to the description of the ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2 vectors (see above), and/or to WO2012/172277 or WO2017/221031. Suitably the short or the long version of the hCMV IE promoter may be used; most suitably the long version as described in WO2008/122811, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference for the teaching of the promoters, particularly the long promoter.
  • It is also possible to insert antigens at the E3 site, or close to the inverted terminal repeat sequences, if desired.
  • Antigen Expression
  • Antigen may be constitutively expressed from viral vectors. Indeed, the inventors have shown that viral vectors described herein constitutively expressing the antigen are stable through numerous passages. This is an advantage of the invention. However, if desired, the expression of the antigen may be repressed during manufacture which may lead to better yields and/or may avoid problems with antigen toxicity. This is a matter for operator choice.
  • Data presented herein includes ELISPOT data showing T-cell responses. This is a departure from prior art approaches where zoster virus vaccines have been primarily focused on the antibody response.
  • Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)
  • In another aspect, the invention relates to a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for treatment of VZV infection. By ‘treatment’ is meant control or prevention of resurgence e.g. from dormant virus (sometimes referred to as ‘endogenous virus’ in mammals such as primates e.g. humans).
  • Suitably the vector, composition or medicament of the invention is for controlling reactivation of VZV.
  • Suitably the vector, composition or medicament is for preventing resurgence of VZV infection.
  • Suitably the vector, composition or medicament is for controlling shingles.
  • Suitably the vector, composition or medicament is for preventing shingles.
  • Advantages
  • A drawback with prior art approaches such as the SHINGRIX™ vaccine is that it requires two vials of material to be stored and mixed at the point of administration—in the case of SHINGRIX™ this is a vial of adjuvant and a vial of antigen which are formulated into a single mixture at the point of administration. In contrast, the present invention advantageously requires only a single vial of material to be stored/transported/manipulated.
  • Furthermore, it is an advantage of the invention that superior immunogenicity is delivered compared to either Zostavax or SHINGRIX™ prior art vaccines.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that only a single dose is needed.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that only a single dose is needed to induce an immune response.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that the vectors are safe in immune compromised subjects.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that a better response is observed compared to prior art approaches.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that T-cell responses are generated, in particular CD4+ T-cell responses.
  • In some embodiments it is an advantage of the invention that CD8+ T-cell responses are also generated; in some embodiments it is an advantage of the invention that strong antibody responses are also generated; most importantly the invention provides the advantage of generating/enhancing CD4+ T-cell responses.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that a strong CD8+ T cell response is produced.
  • A ‘good’ single shot Ad vaccination will give a response in the 100's; a boost is generally required to get above 1,000 SFU. Thus ‘strong’ suitably means >800 SFU after a single 30 shot (single administration). Of course the skilled reader will appreciate that this can be dose dependent—these comments are in the context of the preferred dose given herein.
  • For example, it is an advantage of the invention that a strong T cell response is 35 measured even after two weeks following one shot of ChAdOx1-VZV GpE with a mean response of 1361 (s.e.m. 145 n=5) SFU per 106 splenocytes produced (N.B. ELISpot will measure CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses). Previous work with these viral vectors has demonstrated lower immune responses following one-shot immunisation against variant antigen inserts, for example one shot vaccination with monovalent EBOV in preclinical models induces only 200-500 SFU—showing that the invention produces a much stronger response than the prior art. Moreover, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 from prior art Dicks et al 2015 (Vaccine 33 (2015) pages 1121-1128 “The relative magnitude of transgene-specific adaptive immune responses induced by human and chimpanzee adenovirus vectors differs between laboratory animals and a target species”) show much lower immunogenicity, again demonstrating the surprising strength of the responses according to the present invention.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that a sustained T cell response is produced. Unless otherwise apparent from the context, ‘sustained’ means at least 16 weeks.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that the same vectors can be used to re-vaccinate (i.e. to boost) patients. This may be obtained by priming with ChAdOx1 and boosting with ChAdOx2, or priming with ChAdOx2 and boosting with ChAdOx1. Moreover, the same vector may be used for a boost as used for a prime if the boost is carried out at an interval of at least 6 months from the prime. This may be referred to as “homologous prime-boost”.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that no adjuvant is required. This avoids the disadvantage of the pain/reactogenicity which is experienced when using adjuvants in administration to humans.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that the compositions are cheaper than adjuvanted vaccines. Adjuvants are complex preparations and can be expensive, such as 20 USD per administration. The compositions of the invention require only a single component (i.e. the viral vector containing the antigen as described) and are therefore simpler and cheaper, which is an advantage of the invention.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that live replication deficient viral vectors are used, so the invention is safer than prior art such as Zostavax™.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that only a single dose is required, so the invention is better than multi-dose prior art such as Shingrix™.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that only a single composition/single vial is needed, so the invention is better than adjuvanted prior art such as Shingrix™ which requires two vials, one of antigen and one of adjuvant, to be transported and stored, and then mixed immediately before injection.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that immunogenicity is superior to prior art such as Zostavax™ or Shingrix™.
  • Gly E Antigen
  • By “Gly E antigen” (sometimes referred to as “gE”) is meant the “standard” gE antigen sequence of VZV.
  • In more detail, the original VZV sequence (and strain) used to make the compositions of the invention is suitably the publically disclosed coding sequence as follows: DEFINITION Human herpesvirus 3 isolate 1140VZV glycoprotein E gene, complete cds
  • ACCESSION (GenBank) AY253715 
    VERSION AY253715.1: 
       1 atggggacag ttaataaacc tgtggtgggg gtattgatgg
    ggttcggaat tatcacggga 
      61 acgttgcgta taacgaatcc ggtcagagca tccgtcttgc
    gatacgatga ttttcacatc 
     121 gatgaagaca aactggatac aaactccgta tatgagcctt
    actaccattc agatcatgcg 
     181 gagtcttcat gggtaaatcg gggagagtct tcgcgaaaag
    cgtacgatca taactcacct 
     241 tatatatggc cacgtaatga ttatgatgga tttttagaga
    acgcacacga acaccatggg 
     301 gtgtataatc agggccgtgg tatcgatagc ggggaacggt
    taatgcaacc cacacaaatg 
     361 tctgcacagg aggatcttgg ggacgatacg ggcatccacg
    ttatccctac gttaaacggc 
     421 gatgacagac ataaaattgt aaatgtggac caacgtcaat
    acggtgacgt gtttaaagga 
     481 gatcttaatc caaaacccca aggccaaaga ctcattgagg
    tgtcagtgga agaaaatcac 
     541 ccgtttactt tacgcgcacc gattcagcgg atttatggag
    tccggtacac cgagacttgg 
     601 agctttttgc cgtcattaac ctgtacggga gacgcagcgc
    ccgccatcca gcatatatgt 
     661 ttaaaacata caacatgctt tcaagacgtg gtggtggatg
    tggattgcgc ggaaaatact 
     721 aaagaggatc agttggccga aatcagttac cgttttcaag
    gtaagaagga agcggaccaa 
     781 ccgtggattg ttgtaaacac gagcacactg tttgatgaac
    tcgaattaga cccccccgag 
     841 attgaaccgg gtgtcttgaa agtacttcgg acagaaaaac
    aatacttggg tgtgtacatt 
     901 tggaacatgc gcggctccga tggtacgtct acctacgcca
    cgtttttggt cacctggaaa 
     961 ggggatgaaa aaacaagaaa ccctacgccc gcagtaactc
    ctcaaccaag aggggctgag 
    1021 tttcatatgt ggaattacca ctcgcatgta ttttcagttg
    gtgatacgtt tagcttggca 
    1081 atgcatcttc agtataagat acatgaagcg ccatttgatt
    tgctgttaga gtggttgtat 
    1141 gtccccatcg atcctacatg tcaaccaatg cggttatatt
    ctacgtgttt gtatcatccc 
    1201 aacgcacccc aatgcctctc tcatatgaat tccggttgta
    catttacctc gccacattta 
    1261 gcccagcgtg ttgcaagcac agtgtatcaa aattgtgaac
    atgcagataa ctacaccgca 
    1321 tattgtctgg gaatatctca tatggagcct agctttggtc
    taatcttaca cgacgggggc 
    1381 accacgttaa agtttgtaga tacacccgag agtttgtcgg
    gattatacgt ttttgtggtg 
    1441 tattttaacg ggcatgttga agccgtagca tacactgttg
    tatccacagt agatcatttt 
    1501 gtaaacgcaa ttgaagagcg tggatttccg ccaacggccg
    gtcagccacc ggcgactact 
    1561 aaacccaagg aaattacccc cgtaaacccc ggaacgtcac
    cacttctacg atatgccgca 
    1621 tggaccggag ggcttgcagc agtagtactt ttatgtctcg
    taatattttt aatctgtacg 
    1681 gctaaacgaa tgagggttaa agcctatagg gtagacaagt
    ccccgtataa ccaaagcatg 
    1741 tattacgctg gccttccagt ggacgatttc gaggactcgg
    aatctacgga tacggaagaa 
    1801 gagtttggta acgcgattgg agggagtcac gggggttcga
    gttacacggt gtatatagat 
    1861 aagacccggt ga 
  • It is the same coding sequence to the following most commonly known VZV strain: Human herpesvirus 3 strain Oka vaccine strain.
  • Suitably the GlyE has the amino acid sequence generated by translating the above-referenced coding sequence (cds) using the universal genetic code, i.e. the amino acid sequence also publically disclosed as
  • GenBank: 
    AY253715.1:
    MGTVNKPVVGVLMGEGIITGTLRITNPVRASVLRYDDFHIDEDKLDTNSV
    YEPYYHSDHAESSWVNRGESSRKAYDHNSPYIWPRNDYDGFLENAHEHHG
    VYNQGRGIDSGERLMQPTQMSAQEDLGDDTGIHVIPTLNGDDRHKIVNVD
    QRQYGDVFKGDLNPKPQGQRLIEVSVEENHPFTLRAPIQRIYGVRYTETW
    SFLPSLTCTGDAAPAIQHICLKHTTCFQDVVVDVDCAENTKEDQLAEISY
    RFQGKKEADQPWIVVNTSTLFDELELDPPEIEPGVLKVLRTEKQYLGVYI
    WNMRGSDGTSTYATFLVTWKGDEKTRNPTPAVTPQPRGAEFHMWNYHSHV
    FSVGDTFSLAMHLQYKIHEAPFDLLLEWLYVPIDPTCQPMRLYSTCLYHP
    NAPQCLSHMNSGCTFTSPHLAQRVASTVYQNCEHADNYTAYCLGISHMEP
    SFGLILHDGGTTLKFVDTPESLSGLYVFVVYFNGHVEAVAYTVVSTVDHF
    VNAIEERGFPPTAGQPPATTKPKEITPVNPGTSPLLRYAAWTGGLAAVVL
    LCLVIFLICTAKRMRVKAYRVDKSPYNQSMYYAGLPVDDFEDSESTDTEE
    EFGNAIGGSHGGSSYTVYIDKTR
  • An exemplary Gly E amino acid sequence is GenBank accession number AAP32865.1—SEQ ID NO: 1. A most suitable GlyE amino acid sequence is SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Suitably said Gly E antigen comprises SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Suitably said Gly E antigen consists of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Suitably said Gly E antigen comprises, or consists of, full length Gly E antigen as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • Suitably said Gly E antigen does not comprise any Truncations/Mutations/Tags/Linkers/Fusions compared to the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • bgh Polyadenylation Signal
  • The bovine growth hormone polyadenylation (bgh-PolyA) signal is a specialised termination sequence for protein expression in eukaryotic cells. This DNA sequence is optionally added to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the GlyE antigen.
  • An exemplary bgh polyadenylation signal has the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 6.
  • Suitably expression of the antigen is controlled by a standard promoter such as the ‘long CMV’ promoter. An exemplary sequence of the ‘long CMV’ promoter is shown in SEQ ID NO: 7.
  • Uses
  • Suitably the method is a method of immunising.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising an adenoviral vector, said adenoviral vector comprising GlyE.
  • Suitably the composition does not comprise adjuvant. Adjuvant can cause reactogenicity, especially in primates such as humans. Thus it is an advantage that the composition of the invention is effective without adjuvant. Suitably adjuvant is omitted. Suitably the composition consists of elements other than adjuvant. Suitably adjuvant is specifically excluded from the compositions of the invention. Suitably the composition is an adjuvant-free composition.
  • The invention may be used in prevention of primary VZV infection which causes chickenpox in children and other susceptible individuals.
  • In another aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in medicine.
  • In another aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament for VZV infection. Suitably said medicament is for controlling VZV infection. Suitably said medicament is for preventing resurgence of VZV infection. Suitably said medicament is for controlling shingles. Suitably said medicament is for preventing shingles.
  • In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for inducing an immune response in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition as described above.
  • Suitably the immune response comprises cell mediated immunity. Suitably the immune response comprises a T-cell response. Suitably the T-cell response comprises a CD4+ T-cell response.
  • In another aspect, the invention relates to a method comprising administering a first composition comprising an adenovirus based vector and a second composition comprising an adenovirus based vector.
  • In another aspect, the invention relates to a method comprising administering a first composition comprising a first adenovirus based vector and a second composition comprising a second adenovirus based vector.
  • Suitably the composition and the second composition are different.
  • Most suitably the first adenovirus based vector and the second adenovirus based vector are different.
  • Suitably said subject is a mammal.
  • Suitably said subject is a primate.
  • Suitably said subject is a human.
  • The invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for treatment of VZV infection.
  • The invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for control of VZV infection.
  • The invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for control of dormant VZV infection.
  • The invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for prevention of VZV infection.
  • The invention also relates to use of a vector, composition or medicament as described herein for prevention of resurgence of VZV infection.
  • Compositions
  • Suitably the composition is an antigenic composition.
  • Suitably the composition is an immunogenic composition.
  • Suitably the composition is a vaccine composition.
  • Suitably the composition is a pharmaceutical composition.
  • Suitably the composition is formulated for administration to mammals, suitably to primates, most suitably to humans.
  • Suitably the composition is formulated taking into account its route of administration.
  • Suitably the composition is formulated to be suitable for the route of administration specified. Suitably the composition is formulated to be suitable for the route of administration selected by the operator or physician.
  • It is an advantage of the invention that the compositions do not require adjuvant.
  • Suitably the compositions of the invention for administration advantageously do not comprise adjuvant. Suitably adjuvant is omitted from compositions of the invention.
  • Most suitably adjuvant is excluded from compositions of the invention. Most suitably the compositions of the invention are adjuvant-free.
  • Administration
  • In principle any suitable route of administration may be used.
  • Suitably said composition is administered by a route of administration selected from a group consisting of intranasal, oral, aerosol, subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular.
  • More suitably said composition is administered by a route of administration selected from a group consisting of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular.
  • Most suitably said administration is intramuscular.
  • Suitably the composition of the invention is administered intramuscularly.
  • Suitably the composition of the invention is formulated for intramuscular administration.
  • Suitably the composition of the invention is given as a single dose.
  • Dose
  • It should be noted that there are alternate ways of describing the dose for adenoviral vectors.
  • Viral particles—vp/mL. This refers to the count of total viral particles administered.
  • Infectious units—i.u./mL. This refers to the number of infectious units administered, and can be correlated more accurately with immunogenicity.
  • By convention, clinical trials in the UK tend to provide the dose in terms of viral particles.
  • A typical range would be 1×107 vp to 1×1011 vp, or 1×108 vp to 5×1011 vp. More suitably a single dose is in the range of 5×108 to 5×1010 viral particles per administration; more suitably in the range of 5×109 to 5×1010 viral particles per administration; more suitably in the range of 2.5×1010 to 5×1010 viral particles per administration, for an adult human.
  • Most suitably the dose is, or is about, 2-5×1010 viral particles per administration for an adult human.
  • Child doses are suitably determined by a physician with reference to the guidance provided herein for adult doses. Exemplary child dose=½ an adult dose or 1×1010 vp/child.
  • Infectious units will depend on the P:I ratio (viral genome:infectivity particle ratio) for any given preparation as is known in the art.
  • Suitably no adjuvant is administered with the viral vector of the invention.
  • Suitably the viral vector of the invention is formulated with simple buffer. An exemplary buffer may be as shown below under the heading ‘Formulation’.
  • Suitably the composition is administered as a single dose.
  • As used herein, ‘adult’ means a subject of at least 18 years of age.
  • As used herein, ‘child’ means a subject of less than 18 years of age.
  • Suitably the composition of the invention may be administered to a subject aged 2 years or more, suitably 18 years or more, suitably 60 years or more, suitably 70 years or more, suitably 79 years or more.
  • Doses are typically determined by a physician taking into account factors such as age, weight, gender or other relevant considerations. Doses given herein are exemplary doses. Unless otherwise indicated, all doses are for ‘adult’ subjects—child doses may be determined from those e.g. a child dose may be 50% of an adult dose, or more suitably a child dose is as described herein.
  • Database Release
  • Sequences deposited in databases can change over time. Suitably the current version of sequence database(s) are relied upon. Alternatively, the release in force at the date of filing is relied upon.
  • As the skilled person knows, the accession numbers may be version/dated accession numbers. The citeable accession numbers for the current database entry are the same as above, but omitting the decimal point and any subsequent digits.
  • GenBank is the NIH genetic sequence database, an annotated collection of all publicly available DNA sequences (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda Md., 20894 USA; Nucleic Acids Research, 2013 January; 41(D1):D36-42) and accession numbers provided relate to this unless otherwise apparent. Suitably the GenBank database release referred to is 15 Dec. 2017, NCBI-GenBank Release 223.0.
  • UniProt (Universal Protein Resource) is a comprehensive catalogue of information on proteins (‘UniProt: a hub for protein information’ Nucleic Acids Res. 43: D204-D212 (2015).). For the avoidance of doubt, UniProt Release 2015_11 is relied upon.
  • In more detail, the UniProt consortium European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and Protein Information Resource (PIR)'s UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB) Release 2018_01, (31 Jan. 2018) is relied upon.
  • Applications
  • The compositions of the invention may be used as a chicken pox vaccine, most suitably in children. Thus the invention relates to use of the compositions as described above to prevent chickenpox. In this aspect the composition is administered to infants and/or children and/or adults in at least one dose; suitably said administration is before exposure to generate a protective immune response.
  • The compositions of the invention may be used as vaccines in immune-compromised children. In the prior art, children are given the Zostavax™ at a lower dose than adults.
  • In the art it has occasionally been disclosed that adenovirus may be used as a prime followed by pox virus as a boost. However, according to the present invention it may be observed that applying the vaccine to a person having had previous exposure to VZV means that they may have an existing response (e.g. existing immune response against VZV). By “existing response” suitably is meant the individual has been previously pre-exposed to VZV; this will typically be assessed by measuring seroconversion against VZV surface antigens.
  • The U.K. national health service (NHS) describes it as follows: ‘you can have a blood test to check if you have antibodies to the disease, which proves you've had chickenpox before.’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/when-is-chickenpox-vaccine-needed/#how-to-check-if-youve-had-chickenpox-before Therefore, when a patient has had previous exposure to VZV, administration of the vaccine according to the invention may be regarded as a boost. Thus, in essence the invention may be considered as teaching the use of adenovirus vector as a boost which is a departure from the prior art which teaches that pox viral vectors are best for boosting.
  • The VZV from an earlier infection (e.g. having chickenpox as a child) can remain dormant in a patient's body, such as in the nervous system, and can re-emerge as shingles later in life. A ‘dormant’ VZV infection may be defined as one that is no longer causing an active infection.
  • In one embodiment the invention relates to a composition for administration to a mammal comprising an adenoviral vector as described above.
  • FURTHER APPLICATIONS
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector of human or simian origin.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one CD4 T cell and one CD8 T cell epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein said viral vector is an adenoviral vector of human or simian origin.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament that induces both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a vaccinated subject.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament that induces both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to Gly E antigen in a vaccinated subject, where that subject is a human.
  • In one aspect, the invention relates to use of a composition as described above in the preparation of a medicament that induces both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and antibodies to Gly E antigen in a vaccinated subject, where that subject is a human.
  • FURTHER ADVANTAGES
  • One focus of the invention is the provision of the gE antigen in the context of an adeno vector such as a ChAdOx vector.
  • Here we present data showing the effectiveness of the ChAdOx-gE construct. This has been compared to the existing Zostavax™, and we demonstrate that the construct of the invention is superior.
  • These superior results are better than might be expected based on the known properties of the ChAdOx vector and/or the information on the gE antigen in the art (which combination had never been disclosed in the art).
  • In particular we show that the inventors' constructs are surprisingly effective, and/or that prejudice in the art would have taught against using this construct, and/or that these constructs are obscure/cryptic/special.
  • Adenoviral vectors are typically used for priming immunisations in the art, whereas pox viral vectors are typically used for boosting applications. It can be observed that since most people already have some existing T cell response from past infection with Zoster virus (VZV), that we are in fact teaching use of adenoviral vectors for boosting in this invention. This has not been done before for Zoster virus (VZV). Thus in one embodiment the invention relates to a method for boosting pre-existing immune response(s) to VZV in a mammal, by administering a composition as described above to said mammal. In one embodiment the invention relates to a composition as described above for use in boosting pre-existing immune response(s) to VZV in a mammal. Whether or not a mammal possesses pre-existing immune response(s) to VZV may be determined by assessing seroconversion against VZV surface antigens as described above.
  • A key demonstration of the improvement delivered by the invention is based on the data such as efficacy data shown herein.
  • In this regard, the inventors are generating excellent T cell responses with the vector of the invention. The existing Zostavax™ vaccine has focused on the antibody response.
  • Thus the invention is a measurable improvement over the art.
  • There is the added advantage (which is not expected) that a single dose of an adenovirus as described herein gives as strong a humoral response as a protein and adjuvant. This is a measurable improvement over the art.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 shows a plot
  • FIG. 2 shows a bar chart
  • FIG. 3 shows a graph
  • FIG. 4 shows a plot
  • FIG. 5 shows a sequence alignment. “Insert” means SEQ ID NO: 4 (i.e. an exemplary nucleotide sequence encoding the antigen cassette). “AY253715.1” means SEQ ID NO: 3 (i.e. the wild type nucleotide sequence encoding the GlyE antigen).
  • FIG. 6 shows a sequence alignment (CLUSTAL 0(1.2.4) multiple sequence alignment). “vaccine” means SEQ ID NO: 2 (i.e. an exemplary VZV GlyE amino acid sequence antigen cassette). “AY253715.1” means SEQ ID NO: 1 (i.e. the wild type VZV GlyE amino acid sequence).
  • FIG. 7 shows a photograph
  • FIG. 8 shows a plot and a graph
  • FIG. 9 shows four graphs
  • FIG. 10 shows a graph
  • FIG. 11 shows a graph and two plots
  • FIG. 12 shows a bar chart
  • FIG. 13 shows a bar chart
  • FIG. 14 shows a plot
  • FIG. 15 shows a plot
  • EXAMPLES Example 1—Viral Vectored Vaccines Against VZV
  • We have generated viral vectored vaccines toward VZV.
  • Our data suggest that the vaccine of the invention outperforms a currently licensed prior art Zoster vaccine as assessed for CMI pre-clinically (FIG. 1).
  • The higher CMI routinely achieved with viral vectored vaccines, when compared to other vaccine modalities, is likely to translate to higher efficacy, while advantageously only a single shot of viral vectored vaccine may be required for efficacy in contrast to repeated administration of known protein-in-adjuvant vaccines.
  • We refer to FIG. 1.
  • Groups of Balb/c mice (n=5) were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or 1×107 IU of ChAdOx2-VZVgpE or 1.3×103 pfu Zostax.
  • Splenocytes were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis.
  • Responses post ChAdOx1-VZV-gE were significantly higher than those post Zostavax.
  • This test is in young mice. Age was approx. >8 weeks.
  • It is noted that the prior art Zostavax vaccine can replicate in humans and without wishing to be bound by theory partial immunogenicity may be argued to have come from this. However, it has been demonstrated that non-replicating Zostavax vaccine is comparable in terms of measured immunogenicity to replicating Zostavax in man and can induce a similar immune response.
  • In any case, this is a fair test because none of the vaccines used replicate in mice.
  • Thus it is demonstrated that the invention outperforms prior art Zostavax.
  • We refer to FIG. 2.
  • 8 wk+ old or aged ex-breeder female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1.00E+07 iu of ChAdOX1-VZV-gE Mice were culled approx. 2 weeks later and spleen ELISpot performed with peptides spanning the entire VZV gE insert.
  • Responses post ChAdOx1-VZV-gE were not significantly different.
  • This test is in aged mice.
  • We refer to FIG. 3.
  • 8 wk+ old female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with ChAdOX1-VZV-gE—group 1. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE ChAdOX2-VZV-gE—group 2. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE.
  • Zostavax group 3. 1.29E+03 VZV Zostavax then four weeks later boosted with 1.29E+03 VZV Zostavax. Sera was taken at the indicated timepoints and assayed for anti-VZV-gpE specific antibodies.
  • The inventors note that Kruskal-Wallis analysis shows with Dunn's multiple comparisons test significant difference in response between group 2 and 3, but not between group 1 and group 3 at 2 wk post-boost. This may represent a further advantage of this particular embodiment where the vector is ChAdOx1 i.e. the inventors would not have expected to see antibody response comparable to Zostavax (as evidenced by group 2—ChAdOx2) but group 1 (ChAdOx1 embodiment) generates a surprisingly good antibody response as well as good T cell responses.
  • The inventors note that there is no significant difference in responses in FIG. 4 after one shot antibody responses as 2 weeks or 16 weeks.
  • We refer to FIG. 4, 8 wk+ old female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with
  • lane 1. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then one week later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE. (filled box)
  • lane 1. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then one week later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE. (filled circle)
  • lane 2. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE (filled box)
  • lane 2. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE. (filled circle)
  • lane 3 (no Boost). 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE (open circle)
  • Mice were culled approx. 2 weeks later and spleen ELISpot performed with peptides spanning the entire VZV gE insert.
  • Thus, lane 3 (no boost) represents a “one-shot” scheme; lanes 2 and 3 ‘filled boxes’ represent ‘homologous prime-boost’ schemes; lanes 2 and 3 ‘filled circle’ represent ‘heterologous prime-boost’ schemes. It could be argued that a heterologous second shot does not show augmentation—however, augmentation might be expected to show at a later time point—this is considered to be due to a response-curve effect.
  • Responses post ChAdOx1-VZV-gE were not significantly different across in young or aged animals for single-administration applications.
  • A preferred interval between prime and boost (in prime-boost applications; overall single-administration embodiments are preferred) is 4 weeks; when prime and boost are both Ad vectors, the interval may be for example 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks.
  • Mouse Model System
  • Regarding the mouse model system for testing these vaccines, it should be noted that a 25 non-replicating zoster virus can give the same response as a replicating zoster virus in humans. Therefore, the mouse data presented herein do indeed represent a fair comparison since although the prior art Zostavax™ does induce a limited infection in humans which is important to boosting the immune response, neither the adenoviral vector constructs of the invention nor the Zostavax prior art comparator can replicate 30 in mice, and therefore the data provided in the application comparing those to formulations in mice are indeed fair and indicative of the superior properties of the vectors according to the invention.
  • Example 2: Vectors of the Invention Express Efficiently
  • We present western blot analysis of viral vector expression of VZVgpE. Subconfluent HEK293T (ChAdOx 1) were infected with viruses with at the indicated MOI. Cells were harvested 18 h later, lysed and protein supernatant lysate run on a Biorad 4-12% gradient gel and probed with a 1:1000 dilution of abeam 52549 VZV in 0.05% PBST and expression detected with ECL reagent.
  • Results are shown in FIG. 7; lanes are as follows:
    • 0—molecular markers
    • 1—ChAdOx1 VZVgpE MOI 1 on HEK293T
    • 2—ChAdOx1 VZVgpE MOI 5 on HEK293T
    • 3—ChAdOx2 VZVgpE MOI 1 on HEK293T
    • 4—ChAdOx2 VZVgpE MOI 5 on HEK293T
    • 5—VZV+ve control ˜100 ng
    • 6—VZV+ve control ˜500 ng
  • Thus it is demonstrated that the compositions of the invention produce expression of the antigen in human cells.
  • Example 3: Immunogenicity of Viral Vectors Encoding Varicella Zoster Virus Glycoprotein E
  • We demonstrate cellular immunogenicity after one-shot vaccination against VZV. We refer to FIG. 8A. Groups of Balb/c mice (n=5) were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or 1×107 IU of ChAdOx2-VZVgpE or 1.3×103 pfu Zostax. Splenocytes were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis.
  • We refer to FIG. 8B. Groups of Balb/c mice (n=5, typically aged 8-10 weeks unless otherwise indicated) were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE (‘aged mice’ are ex-breeders and typically >24 wk of age) or 1.3×103 pfu Zostax. Splenocytes were collected at the times indicated after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis.
  • These ELISpot data show that a cellular immune response, as demonstrated by the T cell response, is induced according to the invention. The response is evident at 2 weeks. The response is induced by a single administration. The response is induced by a single dose. The response is a sustained response as shown by the data at the 16 week timepoints.
  • We refer to FIG. 9. The cellular immune response of the same groups of Balb/c mice as in FIG. 8 were assessed by Intracellular Cytokine Staining (ICS). As before (n=5, typically aged 8-10 weeks unless otherwise indicated) were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE (‘aged mice’ are ex-breeders and typically >24 wk of age) or 1.3×103 pfu Zostax. Splenocytes were collected at the times indicated after final vaccination and the cellular immune response toward epitopes spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ICS analysis.
  • FIG. 9A shows the percentage of CD8+ T cells secreting IFN-γ after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 9B shows the percentage of CD4+ T cells secreting IFN-γ after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 9C shows the percentage of IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells secreting TNFα and/or IL2 after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • FIG. 9D shows the percentage of IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells secreting TNFα and/or IL2 after stimulation with VZVgpE peptides and adjusted for background levels of secretion.
  • Thus overall these FACS sorted experiments show that triple secreting CD4+ T cells (which are very good as without wishing to be bound by theory they are considered the most protective) are induced according to the invention. The data also show induction of CD8+ T cells, which are also very beneficial.
  • We refer to FIG. 10 which shows humoral immunity after one-shot vaccination against VZV. Groups of Balb/c mice (n=5, aged 8-10 weeks unless otherwise indicated) were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE (‘aged mice’ are ex-breeders and typically >24 wk of age) or 1.3×103 pfu Zostax. Sera were collected at the times indicated after final vaccination and the humoral immune response toward affinity purified glycoproteins of Varizella Zoster Virus (Strain Ellen) were measured by ELISA.
  • For clarity please note that FIGS. 8B, 9 and 10 show data from the same experiments.
  • It is a surprising benefit that the immunisations according to the present invention are also effective in raising/inducing antibody titers, despite the one-shot administration. It is a surprising benefit that the invention is as good as prior art compositions such as Zostavax for the induction of antibody responses.
  • Example 4: Prime-Boost Study
  • We demonstrate immunogenicity after prime-boost vaccination against VZV.
  • We refer to FIG. 11A.
  • 8 wk+ old female Balb/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with ChAdOX1-VZV-gE—group 1. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX1-VZV-gE ChAdOX2-VZV-gE—group 2. 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE then four weeks later boosted with 1.00E+07 iu ChAdOX2-VZV-gE.
  • Zostavax—group 3. 1.29E+03 VZV Zostavax then four weeks later boosted with 1.29E+03 VZV Zostavax. Sera was taken at the indicated timepoints and assayed for anti-VZV-gpE specific antibodies.
  • Referring to FIG. 11B & FIG. 11C, groups of Balb/c mice (n=5, aged 8-10 weeks unless otherwise indicated) were vaccinated intramuscularly with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE and either not boosted (no boost) or boosted after 1 OR 4 weeks with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE (homologous boost) or 1×107 IU of ChAdOx2-VZVgpE (heterologous boost) a. Splenocytes were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis. b. Sera were collected 2 weeks after final vaccination and the humoral immune response toward affinity purified glycoproteins of Varizella Zoster Virus (Strain Ellen) were measured by ELISA.
  • These data show that the single-shot or single-administration embodiments of the invention provide as good a response as a prime-boost regime. Thus it is an advantage of the invention that only a single shot or single dose (single administration) is needed.
  • Example 5: Comparative Study
  • The inventors compare the composition of the invention to prior art Shingrix™ across 3 doses and after one shot.
  • Humoral immunity after one-shot vaccination against VZV was tested. Groups of CD1 mice (n=7/8) were vaccinated intramuscularly with either ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or Shingrix™, at doses indicated (3 doses). Sera were collected at 4 weeks indicated after vaccination and the humoral immune response toward affinity purified glycoproteins of Varizella Zoster Virus (Strain Ellen) were measured by ELISA. We refer to FIG. 12. Mean with s.e.m. depicted.
  • Vaccine Description Group
    Shingrix ™ low dose 1
    0.2 μg/mouse
    Shingrix ™ mid dose 2
    1 μg/mouse
    Shingrix ™ high dose 3
    5 μg/mouse
    ChAdOx1-VZVgpE low 4
    1*10{circumflex over ( )}6/mouse
    ChAdOx1-VZVgpE mid 5
    1*10{circumflex over ( )}7/mouse
    ChAdOx1-VZVgpE high 6
    1*10{circumflex over ( )}8/mouse
  • Cellular immunogenicity after one-shot vaccination against VZV was tested. Groups of CD1 mice (n=7/8) were vaccinated intramuscularly with either ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or Shingrix™, at doses indicated (3 doses). Splenocytes were collected 4 weeks after final vaccination and the cellular immune response against peptides spanning the whole glycoprotein-E were measured by ELISpot analysis. We refer to FIG. 13. Mean with s.e.m. depicted.
  • Vaccine Description Group
    Shingrix ™ low dose 1
    0.2 μg/mouse
    Shingrix ™ mid dose 2
    1 μg/mouse
    Shingrix ™ high dose 3
    5 μg/mouse
    ChAdOx1-VZVgpE low 4
    1*10{circumflex over ( )}6/mouse
    ChAdOx1-VZVgpE mid 5
    1*10{circumflex over ( )}7/mouse
    ChAdOx1-VZVgpE high 6
    1*10{circumflex over ( )}8/mouse
  • Example 6: Comparative Study
  • Groups of outbred CD-1 mice (n=8) were vaccinated intramuscularly with
    • Group 1; 1 ug of Shringrix with ASO1B adjuvant and four weeks later the animals were boosted with 1 ug of Shringrix with ASO1B adjuvant or
    • Group 2; no prime and four weeks later the animals were vaccinated with 1.3×103 pfu Zostavax or
    • Group 3; 1.3×103 pfu Zostavax and four weeks later animals were boosted with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or
    • Group 4; no prime and four weeks later the animals were vaccinated 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or
    • Group 5; naïve animals.
  • We refer to FIG. 14. The mean and standard error of the mean are depicted.
  • Serum was collected approximately three weeks after final vaccination and analysed for anti-VZVgpE antibodies.
  • Kruskal-Wallis analysis with Dunn's multiple comparison test demonstrates that Group 1; two shots of protein with adjuvant induces a significantly higher antibody titre when compared to Group 2; one shot of Zostavax or Group 4; one shot of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE, this result is as expected. However, there was no difference in the level of antibodies measured between Group 1 and Group 3. This is not expected, as ChAdOx1 after Zostavax would not be predicted to increase the humoral immune response to a comparable level of two shots of adjuvanted protein. This is an advantage, as currently UK adults aged 70 or over have been recommended to receive Zostavax vaccination, here we demonstrate that a boost vaccination of ChAdOx1-VZV-gpE can augment the antibody titres to those levels measured after two protein and adjuvant vaccinations, a regimen that is associated with efficacy of 91% or higher.
  • Dunn's multiple Adjusted P
    comparisons test Significant? Summary Value
    Shingrix
    1 ug/mouse x2 vs. No ns >0.9999
    Zostavax-ChAdOx1-gE
    Shingrix
    1 ug/mouse x2 vs. Yes * 0.0172
    ChAdOx1-gE x1
    Shingrix
    1 ug/mouse x2 vs. Yes ** 0.0019
    Zostavax x1
  • Example 7: Comparative Study
  • Groups of C57BL6 mice (n=5) were vaccinated intramuscularly with
  • Group 1; 1 ug of Shringrix with ASO1B adjuvant and four weeks later the animals were boosted with 1 ug of Shringrix with ASO1B adjuvant or
  • Group 2; no prime and four weeks later the animals were vaccinated with 1.3×103 pfu Zostavax or
  • Group 3; 1.3×103 pfu Zostavax and four weeks later animals were boosted with 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE or
  • Group 4; no prime and four weeks later the animals were vaccinated 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE.
  • We refer to FIG. 15. The mean and standard error of the mean are depicted.
  • Splenocytes were collected approximately four weeks after final vaccination and analysed for NK maturity and secretion of cytokines. Kruskal-Wallis analysis with Dunn's multiple comparison test demonstrates that NK cells after a prime-boost vaccination of 1.3×103 pfu Zostax followed by 1×107 IU of ChAdOx1-VZVgpE secrete more IFN-g (Group 3) when compared to the Shringix vaccination (Group 1). This is not expected and offers an advantage, NK cell activation has previously been demonstrated to augment the adaptive immune response and this strong induction of the innate immune response by ChAdOx1-VZVgpE after a Zostavax prime is not expected. Additionally, NK cells have been demonstrated to be critically important in mediating immunity against VZV infection (PMID; 2543925, 30565241).
  • Table of sequences
    SEQ ID NO: 1 wild type VZV GlyE amino acid sequence
    SEQ ID NO: 2 exemplary VZV GlyE amino acid sequence
    SEQ ID NO: 3 wild type nucleotide sequence encoding
    VZV GlyE (Genbank accession number
    AY253715.1; this is the nucleotide
    sequence encoding the amino acid
    sequence of accession number
    AAP32865.1 - SEQ ID NO: 1:
    (AAP32865.1 glycoprotein E
    [Human alphaherpesvirus 3]))
    SEQ ID NO: 4 exemplary nucleotide sequence encoding
    VZV GlyE codon-optimised for humans
    SEQ ID NO: 5 ChAdOx2: Viral vector based on
    Chimpanzee adenovirus C68
    SEQ ID NO: 6 bgh polyadenylation signal
    SEQ ID NO: 7 exemplary sequence of long CMV
    promoter
    Please note that ‘Gly E’ means glycoprotein E, and is sometimes referred to as ‘gE’.
  • In one embodiment Gly E sequence having similarity to antigen insert SEQ ID NO: 1 of 50% or less may be used. In one embodiment Gly E sequence having similarity to antigen insert SEQ ID NO: 1 of 50% or more may be used, suitably 60% or more, suitably 70% or more, suitably 80% or more, suitably 90% or more, suitably 95% or more.
  • SEQUENCE LISTING 
    SEQ ID NO: 1: exemplary Gly E sequence-GenBank accession number AAP32865.1- 
    (>A7P32865.1 glycoprotein E [Human alphaherpesvirus 3])(also 
    known as the amino acid sequence encoded by GenBank nucleotide 
    accession number AY253715.1):
    MGTVNKPVVGVLMGFGIITGTLRITNPVRASVLRYDDFHIDEDKLDTNSVYEPYYHSDHAESSWVNRGESSRKAYDHN
    SPYIWPRNDYDGFLENAHEHHGVYNQGRGIDSGERLMQPTQMSAQEDLGDDTGIHVIPTLNGDDRHKIVNVDQRQYGD
    VFKGDLNPKPQGQRLIEVSVEENHPFTLRAPIQRIYGVRYTETWSFLPSLTCTGDAAPAIQHICLKHTTCFQDVVVDV
    DCAENTKEDQLAEISYRFQGKKEADQPWIVVNTSTLFDELELDPPEIEPGVLKVLRTEKQYLGVYIWNMRGSDGTSTY
    ATFLVTWKGDEKTRNPTPAVTPQPRGAEFHMWNYHSHVFSVGDTFSLAMHLQYKIHEAPFDLLLEWLYVPIDPTCQPM
    RLYSTCLYHPNAPQCLSHMNSGCTFTSPHLAQRVASTVYQNCEHADNYTAYCLGISHMEPSFGLILHDGGTTLKFVDT
    PESLSGLYVFVVYFNGHVEAVAYTVVSTVDHFVNAIEERGFPPTAGQPPATTKPKEITPVNPGTSPLLRYAAWTGGLA
    AVVLLCLVIFLICTAKRMRVKAYRVDKSPYNQSMYYAGLPVDDFEDSESTDTEEEFGNAIGGSHGGSSYTVYIDKTR
    SEQ ID NO: 2 exemplary VZV GlyE cassette amino acid sequence 
    (sometimes referred to as “Insert-protein”):
    MGTVNKPVVGVLMGFGIITGTLRITNPVRASVLRYDDFHIDEDKLDTNSVYEPYYHSDHA
    ESSWVNRGESSRKAYDHNSPYIWPRNDYDGFLENAHEHHGVYNQGRGIDSGERLMQPTQM
    SAQEDLGDDTGIHVIPTLNGDDRHKIVNVDQRQYGDVFKGDLNPKPQGQRLIEVSVEENH
    PFTLRAPIQRIYGVRYTETWSFLPSLTCTGDAAPAIQHICLKHTTCFQDVVVDVDCAENT
    KEDQLAEISYRFQGKKEADQPWIVVNTSTLFDELELDPPEIEPGVLKVLRTEKQYLGVYI
    WNMRGSDGTSTYATFLVTWKGDEKTRNPTPAVTPQPRGAEFHMWNYHSHVFSVGDTFSLA
    MHLQYKIHEAPFDLLLEWLYVPIDPTCQPMRLYSTCLYHPNAPQCLSHMNSGCTFTSPHL
    AQRVASTVYQNCEHADNYTAYCLGISHMEPSFGLILHDGGTTLKFVDTPESLSGLYVFVV
    YFNGHVEAVAYTVVSTVDHFVNAIEERGFPPTAGQPPATTKPKEITPVNPGTSPLLRYAA
    WTGGLAAVVLLCLVIFLICTAKRMRVKAYRVDKSPYNQSMYYAGLPVDDFEDSESTDTEE
    EFGNAIGGSHGGSSYTVYIDKTR 
    SEQ ID NO: 3-wild type nucleotide sequence encoding VZV GlyE (Genbank accession 
    number AY253715.1; 
    this is the nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence 
    of accession number AAP32865.1-SEQ ID NO: 1: 
    (AAP32865.1 glycoprotein E [Human alphaherpesvirus 3])):
    ATGGGGACAGTTAATAAACCTGTGGTGGGGGTATTGATGGGGTTCGGAATTATCACGGGAACGTTGCGTATAACGAAT
    CCGGTCAGAGCATCCGTCTTGCGATACGATGATTTTCACATCGATGAAGACAAACTGGATACAAACTCCGTATATGAG
    CCTTACTACCATTCAGATCATGCGGAGTCTTCATGGGTAAATCGGGGAGAGTCTTCGCGAAAAGCGTACGATCATAAC
    TCACCTTATATATGGCCACGTAATGATTATGATGGATTTTTAGAGAACGCACACGAACACCATGGGGTGTATAATCAG
    GGCCGTGGTATCGATAGCGGGGAACGGTTAATGCAACCCACACAAATGTCTGCACAGGAGGATCTTGGGGACGATACG
    GGCATCCACGTTATCCCTACGTTAAACGGCGATGACAGACATAAAATTGTAAATGTGGACCAACGTCAATACGGTGAC
    GTGTTTAAAGGAGATCTTAATCCAAAACCCCAAGGCCAAAGACTCATTGAGGTGTCAGTGGAAGAAAATCACCCGTTT
    ACTTTACGCGCACCGATTCAGCGGATTTATGGAGTCCGGTACACCGAGACTTGGAGCTTTTTGCCGTCATTAACCTGT
    ACGGGAGACGCAGCGCCCGCCATCCAGCATATATGTTTAAAACATACAACATGCTTTCAAGACGTGGTGGTGGATGTG
    GATTGCGCGGAAAATACTAAAGAGGATCAGTTGGCCGAAATCAGTTACCGTTTTCAAGGTAAGAAGGAAGCGGACCAA
    CCGTGGATTGTTGTAAACACGAGCACACTGTTTGATGAACTCGAATTAGACCCCCCCGAGATTGAACCGGGTGTCTTG
    AAAGTACTTCGGACAGAAAAACAATACTTGGGTGTGTACATTTGGAACATGCGCGGCTCCGATGGTACGTCTACCTAC
    GCCACGTTTTTGGTCACCTGGAAAGGGGATGAAAAAACAAGAAACCCTACGCCCGCAGTAACTCCTCAACCAAGAGGG
    GCTGAGTTTCATATGTGGAATTACCACTCGCATGTATTTTCAGTTGGTGATACGTTTAGCTTGGCAATGCATCTTCAG
    TATAAGATACATGAAGCGCCATTTGATTTGCTGTTAGAGTGGTTGTATGTCCCCATCGATCCTACATGTCAACCAATG
    CGGTTATATTCTACGTGTTTGTATCATCCCAACGCACCCCAATGCCTCTCTCATATGAATTCCGGTTGTACATTTACC
    TCGCCACATTTAGCCCAGCGTGTTGCAAGCACAGTGTATCAAAATTGTGAACATGCAGATAACTACACCGCATATTGT
    CTGGGAATATCTCATATGGAGCCTAGCTTTGGTCTAATCTTACACGACGGGGGCACCACGTTAAAGTTTGTAGATACA
    CCCGAGAGTTTGTCGGGATTATACGTTTTTGTGGTGTATTTTAACGGGCATGTTGAAGCCGTAGCATACACTGTTGTA
    TCCACAGTAGATCATTTTGTAAACGCAATTGAAGAGCGTGGATTTCCGCCAACGGCCGGTCAGCCACCGGCGACTACT
    AAACCCAAGGAAATTACCCCCGTAAACCCCGGAACGTCACCACTTCTACGATATGCCGCATGGACCGGAGGGCTTGCA
    GCAGTAGTACTTTTATGTCTCGTAATATTTTTAATCTGTACGGCTAAACGAATGAGGGTTAAAGCCTATAGGGTAGAC
    AAGTCCCCGTATAACCAAAGCATGTATTACGCTGGCCTTCCAGTGGACGATTTCGAGGACTCGGAATCTACGGATACG
    GAAGAAGAGTTTGGTAACGCGATTGGAGGGAGTCACGGGGGTTCGAGTTACACGGTGTATATAGATAAGACCCGGTGA
    SEQ ID NO: 4-exemplary nucleotide sequence encoding VZV GlyE antigen 
    cassette/expression cassette 
    (sometimes referred to as “>Insert-Vaccine”)
    ATGGGCACCGTGAACAAGCCCGTCGTGGGCGTGCTGATGGGCTTCGGCATCATCACCGGCACCCTGCGGATCACCAAT
    CCTGTGCGGGCCAGCGTGCTGAGATACGACGACTTCCACATCGACGAGGACAAGCTGGACACCAACAGCGTGTACGAG
    CCCTACTACCACAGCGACCACGCCGAGAGCAGCTGGGTCAACAGAGGCGAGTCCAGCCGGAAGGCCTACGACCACAAC
    AGCCCCTACATCTGGCCCCGGAACGACTACGACGGCTTCCTGGAAAATGCCCACGAGCACCACGGCGTGTACAACCAG
    GGCAGAGGCATCGACAGCGGCGAGAGACTGATGCAGCCCACCCAGATGAGCGCCCAGGAAGATCTGGGCGACGACACC
    GGCATCCACGTGATCCCTACCCTGAACGGCGACGACCGGCACAAGATCGTGAACGTGGACCAGCGGCAGTACGGCGAC
    GTGTTCAAGGGCGACCTGAACCCCAAGCCCCAGGGACAGCGGCTGATTGAGGTGTCCGTGGAAGAGAACCACCCCTTC
    ACCCTGAGAGCCCCCATCCAGAGAATCTACGGCGTGCGCTATACCGAGACTTGGAGCTTCCTGCCCAGCCTGACCTGT
    ACTGGCGACGCCGCTCCTGCCATCCAGCACATCTGCCTGAAGCACACCACCTGTTTCCAGGACGTGGTGGTGGACGTG
    GACTGCGCCGAGAACACCAAAGAGGACCAGCTGGCCGAGATCAGCTACCGGTTCCAGGGCAAGAAAGAGGCCGACCAG
    CCCTGGATCGTCGTGAACACCAGCACCCTGTTCGACGAGCTGGAACTGGACCCCCCCGAGATTGAACCCGGGGTGCTG
    AAGGTGCTGCGGACCGAGAAGCAGTACCTGGGAGTGTACATCTGGAACATGCGGGGCAGCGACGGCACCTCTACCTAC
    GCCACCTTCCTCGTGACCTGGAAGGGCGACGAGAAAACCCGGAACCCTACCCCTGCCGTGACCCCTCAGCCTAGAGGC
    GCCGAGTTTCACATGTGGAATTACCACAGCCACGTGTTCAGCGTGGGCGACACCTTCTCCCTGGCCATGCATCTGCAG
    TACAAGATCCACGAGGCCCCCTTCGACCTGCTGCTGGAATGGCTGTACGTGCCCATCGACCCTACCTGCCAGCCCATG
    CGGCTGTACTCCACCTGTCTGTACCACCCCAACGCCCCCCAGTGCCTGAGCCACATGAATAGCGGCTGCACCTTCACC
    AGCCCCCACCTGGCTCAGAGGGTGGCCAGCACCGTGTACCAGAATTGCGAGCACGCCGACAACTACACCGCCTACTGC
    CTGGGCATCAGCCACATGGAACCTAGCTTCGGCCTGATCCTGCACGACGGCGGCACCACCCTGAAGTTCGTGGATACC
    CCAGAGAGCCTGAGCGGCCTGTACGTGTTCGTGGTGTACTTCAACGGCCACGTGGAAGCCGTGGCCTACACCGTGGTG
    TCCACCGTGGACCACTTCGTGAACGCCATCGAGGAACGGGGCTTCCCTCCAACTGCTGGACAGCCTCCTGCCACCACC
    AAGCCCAAAGAAATCACCCCCGTGAACCCCGGCACCAGCCCTCTGCTGCGCTATGCTGCTTGGACAGGCGGACTGGCT
    GCTGTGGTGCTGCTGTGCCTCGTGATTTTCCTGATCTGCACCGCCAAGCGGATGAGAGTGAAGGCCTATCGGGTGGAC
    AAGTCCCCCTACAACCAGAGCATGTACTACGCCGGCCTGCCCGTGGACGATTTCGAGGATAGCGAGAGCACCGACACC
    GAGGAAGAGTTCGGCAACGCCATTGGCGGCTCTCACGGCGGCAGCAGCTATACCGTGTACATCGACAAGACCCGCTGA
    SEQ ID NO: 5 
    ChAd0x2: Viral vector based on Chimpanzee adenovirus C68 
    ccatcttcaa taatatacct caaacttttt gtgcgcgtta atatgcaaat gaggcgtttg 60 
    aatttgggga ggaagggcgg tgattggtcg agggatgagc gaccgttagg ggcggggcga 120 
    gtgacgtttt gatgacgtgg ttgcgaggag gagccagttt gcaagttctc gtgggaaaag 180 
    tgacgtcaaa cgaggtgtgg tttgaacacg gaaatactca attttcccgc gctctctgac 240 
    aggaaatgag gtgtttctgg gcggatgcaa gtgaaaacgg gccattttcg cgcgaaaact 300 
    gaatgaggaa gtgaaaatct gagtaatttc gcgtttatgg cagggaggag tatttgccga 360 
    gggccgagta gactttgacc gattacgtgg gggtttcgat taccgtgttt ttcacctaaa 420 
    tttccgcgta cggtgtcaaa gtccggtgtt tttacgcgat cgctagcgac atcgatcaca 480 
    agtttgtaca aaaaagctga acgagaaacg taaaatgata taaatatcaa tatattaaat 540 
    tagattttgc ataaaaaaca gactacataa tactgtaaaa cacaacatat ccagtcacta 600 
    tggcggccgc cgatttattc aacaaagcca cgttgtgtct caaaatctct gatgttacat 660 
    tgcacaagat aaaaatatat catcatgaac aataaaactg tctgcttaca taaacagtaa 720 
    tacaaggggt gttatgagcc atattcaacg ggaaacgtct tgctcgaggc cgcgattaaa 780 
    ttccaacatg gatgctgatt tatatgggta taaatgggct cgtgataatg tcgggcaatc 840 
    aggtgcgaca atctatcgat tgtatgggaa gcccgatgcg ccagagttgt ttctgaaaca 900 
    tggcaaaggt agcgttgcca atgatgttac agatgagatg gtcagactaa actggctgac 960 
    ggaatttatg cctcttccga ccatcaagca ttttatccgt actcctgatg atgcatggtt 1020 
    actcaccact gcgatccccg ggaaaacagc attccaggta ttagaagaat atcctgattc 1080 
    aggtgaaaat attgttgatg cgctggcagt gttcctgcgc cggttgcatt cgattcctgt 1140 
    ttgtaattgt ccttttaaca gcgatcgcgt atttcgtctc gctcaggcgc aatcacgaat 1200 
    gaataacggt ttggttgatg cgagtgattt tgatgacgag cgtaatggct ggcctgttga 1260 
    acaagtctgg aaagaaatgc ataagctttt gccattctca ccggattcag tcgtcactca 1320 
    tggtgatttc tcacttgata accttatttt tgacgagggg aaattaatag gttgtattga 1380 
    tgttggacga gtcggaatcg cagaccgata ccaggatctt gccatcctat ggaactgcct 1440 
    cggtgagttt tctccttcat tacagaaacg gctttttcaa aaatatggta ttgataatcc 1500 
    tgatatgaat aaattgcagt ttcatttgat gctcgatgag tttttctaat cagaattggt 1560 
    taattggttg taacactggc acgcgtggat ccggcttact aaaagccaga taacagtatg 1620 
    cgtatttgcg cgctgatttt tgcggtataa gaatatatac tgatatgtat acccgaagta 1680 
    tgtcaaaaag aggtatgcta tgaagcagcg tattacagtg acagttgaca gcgacagcta 1740 
    tcagttgctc aaggcatata tgatgtcaat atctccggtc tggtaagcac aaccatgcag 1800 
    aatgaagccc gtcgtctgcg tgccgaacgc tggaaagcgg aaaatcagga agggatggct 1860 
    gaggtcgccc ggtttattga aatgaacggc tcttttgctg acgagaacag gggctggtga 1920 
    aatgcagttt aaggtttaca cctataaaag agagagccgt tatcgtctgt ttgtggatgt 1980 
    acagagtgat attattgaca cgcccgggcg acggatggtg atccccctgg ccagtgcacg 2040 
    tctgctgtca gataaagtct cccgtgaact ttacccggtg gtgcatatcg gggatgaaag 2100 
    ctggcgcatg atgaccaccg atatggccag tgtgccggtc tccgttatcg gggaagaagt 2160 
    ggctgatctc agccaccgcg aaaatgacat caaaaacgcc attaacctga tgttctgggg 2220 
    aatataaatg tcaggctccc ttatacacag ccagtctgca ggtcgaccat agtgactgga 2280 
    tatgttgtgt tttacagtat tatgtagtct gttttttatg caaaatctaa tttaatatat 2340 
    tgatatttat atcattttac gtttctcgtt cagctttctt gtacaaagtg gtgatcgatt 2400 
    cgacagatcg cgatcgcaag tgagtagtgt tctggggcgg gggaggacct gcatgagggc 2460 
    cagaataact gaaatctgtg cttttctgtg tgttgcagca gcatgagcgg aagcggctcc 2520 
    tttgagggag gggtattcag cccttatctg acggggcgtc tcccctcctg ggcgggagtg 2580 
    cgtcagaatg tgatgggatc cacggtggac ggccggcccg tgcagcccgc gaactcttca 2640 
    accctgacct atgcaaccct gagctcttcg tcgttggacg cagctgccgc cgcagctgct 2700 
    gcatctgccg ccagcgccgt gcgcggaatg gccatgggcg ccggctacta cggcactctg 2760 
    gtggccaact cgagttccac caataatccc gccagcctga acgaggagaa gctgttgctg 2820 
    ctgatggccc agctcgaggc cttgacccag cgcctgggcg agctgaccca gcaggtggct 2880 
    cagctgcagg agcagacgcg ggccgcggtt gccacggtga aatccaaata aaaaatgaat 2940 
    caataaataa acggagacgg ttgttgattt taacacagag tctgaatctt tatttgattt 3000 
    ttcgcgcgcg gtaggccctg gaccaccggt ctcgatcatt gagcacccgg tggatctttt 3060 
    ccaggacccg gtagaggtgg gcttggatgt tgaggtacat gggcatgagc ccgtcccggg 3120 
    ggtggaggta gctccattgc agggcctcgt gctcgggggt ggtgttgtaa atcacccagt 3180 
    catagcaggg gcgcagggca tggtgttgca caatatcttt gaggaggaga ctgatggcca 3240 
    cgggcagccc tttggtgtag gtgtttacaa atctgttgag ctgggaggga tgcatgcggg 3300 
    gggagatgag gtgcatcttg gcctggatct tgagattggc gatgttaccg cccagatccc 3360 
    gcctggggtt catgttgtgc aggaccacca gcacggtgta tccggtgcac ttggggaatt 3420 
    tatcatgcaa cttggaaggg aaggcgtgaa agaatttggc gacgcctttg tgcccgccca 3480 
    ggttttccat gcactcatcc atgatgatgg cgatgggccc gtgggcggcg gcctgggcaa 3540 
    agacgtttcg ggggtcggac acatcatagt tgtggtcctg ggtgaggtca tcataggcca 3600 
    ttttaatgaa tttggggcgg agggtgccgg actgggggac aaaggtaccc tcgatcccgg 3660 
    gggcgtagtt cccctcacag atctgcatct cccaggcttt gagctcggag ggggggatca 3720 
    tgtccacctg cggggcgata aagaacacgg tttccggggc gggggagatg agctgggccg 3780 
    aaagcaagtt ccggagcagc tgggacttgc cgcagccggt ggggccgtag atgaccccga 3840 
    tgaccggctg caggtggtag ttgagggaga gacagctgcc gtcctcccgg aggagggggg 3900 
    ccacctcgtt catcatctcg cgcacgtgca tgttctcgcg caccagttcc gccaggaggc 3960 
    gctctccccc cagggatagg agctcctgga gcgaggcgaa gtttttcagc ggcttgagtc 4020 
    cgtcggccat gggcattttg gagagggttt gttgcaagag ttccaggcgg tcccagagct 4080 
    cggtgatgtg ctctacggca tctcgatcca gcagacctcc tcgtttcgcg ggttgggacg 4140 
    gctgcgggag tagggcacca gacgatgggc gtccagcgca gccagggtcc ggtccttcca 4200 
    gggtcgcagc gtccgcgtca gggtggtctc cgtcacggtg aaggggtgcg cgccgggctg 4260 
    ggcgcttgcg agggtgcgct tcaggctcat ccggctggtc gaaaaccgct cccgatcggc 4320 
    gccctgcgcg tcggccaggt agcaattgac catgagttcg tagttgagcg cctcggccgc 4380 
    gtggcctttg gcgcggagct tacctttgga agtctgcccg caggcgggac agaggaggga 4440 
    cttgagggcg tagagcttgg gggcgaggaa gacggactcg ggggcgtagg cgtccgcgcc 4500 
    gcagtgggcg cagacggtct cgcactccac gagccaggtg aggtcgggct ggtcggggtc 4560 
    aaaaaccagt ttcccgccgt tctttttgat gcgtttctta cctttggtct ccatgagctc 4620 
    gtgtccccgc tgggtgacaa agaggctgtc cgtgtccccg tagaccgact ttatgggccg 4680 
    gtcctcgagc ggtgtgccgc ggtcctcctc gtagaggaac cccgcccact ccgagacgaa 4740 
    agcccgggtc caggccagca cgaaggaggc cacgtgggac gggtagcggt cgttgtccac 4800 
    cagcgggtcc accttttcca gggtatgcaa acacatgtcc ccctcgtcca catccaggaa 4860 
    ggtgattggc ttgtaagtgt aggccacgtg accgggggtc ccggccgggg gggtataaaa 4920 
    gggtgcgggt ccctgctcgt cctcactgtc ttccggatcg ctgtccagga gcgccagctg 4980 
    ttggggtagg tattccctct cgaaggcggg catgacctcg gcactcaggt tgtcagtttc 5040 
    tagaaacgag gaggatttga tattgacggt gccggcggag atgcctttca agagcccctc 5100 
    gtccatctgg tcagaaaaga cgatcttttt gttgtcgagc ttggtggcga aggagccgta 5160 
    gagggcgttg gagaggagct tggcgatgga gcgcatggtc tggttttttt ccttgtcggc 5220 
    gcgctccttg gcggcgatgt tgagctgcac gtactcgcgc gccacgcact tccattcggg 5280 
    gaagacggtg gtcagctcgt cgggcacgat tctgacctgc cagccccgat tatgcagggt 5340 
    gatgaggtcc acactggtgg ccacctcgcc gcgcaggggc tcattagtcc agcagaggcg 5400 
    tccgcccttg cgcgagcaga aggggggcag ggggtccagc atgacctcgt cgggggggtc 5460 
    ggcatcgatg gtgaagatgc cgggcaggag gtcggggtca aagtagctga tggaagtggc 5520 
    cagatcgtcc agggcagctt gccattcgcg cacggccagc gcgcgctcgt agggactgag 5580 
    gggcgtgccc cagggcatgg gatgggtaag cgcggaggcg tacatgccgc agatgtcgta 5640 
    gacgtagagg ggctcctcga ggatgccgat gtaggtgggg tagcagcgcc ccccgcggat 5700 
    gctggcgcgc acgtagtcat acagctcgtg cgagggggcg aggagccccg ggcccaggtt 5760 
    ggtgcgactg ggcttttcgg cgcggtagac gatctggcgg aaaatggcat gcgagttgga 5820 
    ggagatggtg ggcctttgga agatgttgaa gtgggcgtgg ggcagtccga ccgagtcgcg 5880 
    gatgaagtgg gcgtaggagt cttgcagctt ggcgacgagc tcggcggtga ctaggacgtc 5940 
    cagagcgcag tagtcgaggg tctcctggat gatgtcatac ttgagctgtc ccttttgttt 6000 
    ccacagctcg cggttgagaa ggaactcttc gcggtccttc cagtactctt cgagggggaa 6060 
    cccgtcctga tctgcacggt aagagcctag catgtagaac tggttgacgg ccttgtaggc 6120 
    gcagcagccc ttctccacgg ggagggcgta ggcctgggcg gccttgcgca gggaggtgtg 6180 
    cgtgagggcg aaagtgtccc tgaccatgac cttgaggaac tggtgcttga agtcgatatc 6240 
    gtcgcagccc ccctgctccc agagctggaa gtccgtgcgc ttcttgtagg cggggttggg 6300 
    caaagcgaaa gtaacatcgt tgaagaggat cttgcccgcg cggggcataa agttgcgagt 6360 
    gatgcggaaa ggttggggca cctcggcccg gttgttgatg acctgggcgg cgagcacgat 6420 
    ctcgtcgaag ccgttgatgt tgtggcccac gatgtagagt tccacgaatc gcggacggcc 6480 
    cttgacgtgg ggcagtttct tgagctcctc gtaggtgagc tcgtcggggt cgctgagccc 6540 
    gtgctgctcg agcgcccagt cggcgagatg ggggttggcg cggaggaagg aagtccagag 6600 
    atccacggcc agggcggttt gcagacggtc ccggtactga cggaactgct gcccgacggc 6660 
    cattttttcg ggggtgacgc agtagaaggt gcgggggtcc ccgtgccagc gatcccattt 6720 
    gagctggagg gcgagatcga gggcgagctc gacgagccgg tcgtccccgg agagtttcat 6780 
    gaccagcatg aaggggacga gctgcttgcc gaaggacccc atccaggtgt aggtttccac 6840 
    atcgtaggtg aggaagagcc tttcggtgcg aggatgcgag ccgatgggga agaactggat 6900 
    ctcctgccac caattggagg aatggctgtt gatgtgatgg aagtagaaat gccgacggcg 6960 
    cgccgaacac tcgtgcttgt gtttatacaa gcggccacag tgctcgcaac gctgcacggg 7020 
    atgcacgtgc tgcacgagct gtacctgagt tcctttgacg aggaatttca gtgggaagtg 7080 
    gagtcgtggc gcctgcatct cgtgctgtac tacgtcgtgg tggtcggcct ggccctcttc 7140 
    tgcctcgatg gtggtcatgc tgacgagccc gcgcgggagg caggtccaga cctcggcgcg 7200 
    agcgggtcgg agagcgagga cgagggcgcg caggccggag ctgtccaggg tcctgagacg 7260 
    ctgcggagtc aggtcagtgg gcagcggcgg cgcgcggttg acttgcagga gtttttccag 7320 
    ggcgcgcggg aggtccagat ggtacttgat ctccaccgcg ccattggtgg cgacgtcgat 7380 
    ggcttgcagg gtcccgtgcc cctggggtgt gaccaccgtc ccccgtttct tcttgggcgg 7440 
    ctggggcgac gggggcggtg cctcttccat ggttagaagc ggcggcgagg acgcgcgccg 7500 
    ggcggcaggg gcggctcggg gcccggaggc aggggcggca ggggcacgtc ggcgccgcgc 7560 
    gcgggtaggt tctggtactg cgcccggaga agactggcgt gagcgacgac gcgacggttg 7620 
    acgtcctgga tctgacgcct ctgggtgaag gccacgggac ccgtgagttt gaacctgaaa 7680 
    gagagttcga cagaatcaat ctcggtatcg ttgacggcgg cctgccgcag gatctcttgc 7740 
    acgtcgcccg agttgtcctg gtaggcgatc tcggtcatga actgctcgat ctcctcctct 7800 
    tgaaggtctc cgcggccggc gcgctccacg gtggccgcga ggtcgttgga gatgcggccc 7860 
    atgagctgcg agaaggcgtt catgcccgcc tcgttccaga cgcggctgta gaccacgacg 7920 
    ccctcgggat cgccggcgcg catgaccacc tgggcgaggt tgagctccac gtggcgcgtg 7980 
    aagaccgcgt agttgcagag gcgctggtag aggtagttga gcgtggtggc gatgtgctcg 8040 
    gtgacgaaga aatacatgat ccagcggcgg agcggcatct cgctgacgtc gcccagcgcc 8100 
    tccaaacgtt ccatggcctc gtaaaagtcc acggcgaagt tgaaaaactg ggagttgcgc 8160 
    gccgagacgg tcaactcctc ctccagaaga cggatgagct cggcgatggt ggcgcgcacc 8220 
    tcgcgctcga aggcccccgg gagttcctcc acttcctctt cttcctcctc cactaacatc 8280 
    tcttctactt cctcctcagg cggcagtggt ggcgggggag ggggcctgcg tcgccggcgg 8340 
    cgcacgggca gacggtcgat gaagcgctcg atggtctcgc cgcgccggcg tcgcatggtc 8400 
    tcggtgacgg cgcgcccgtc ctcgcggggc cgcagcgtga agacgccgcc gcgcatctcc 8460 
    aggtggccgg gggggtcccc gttgggcagg gagagggcgc tgacgatgca tcttatcaat 8520 
    tgccccgtag ggactccgcg caaggacctg agcgtctcga gatccacggg atctgaaaac 8580 
    cgctgaacga aggcttcgag ccagtcgcag tcgcaaggta ggctgagcac ggtttcttct 8640 
    ggcgggtcat gttggttggg agcggggcgg gcgatgctgc tggtgatgaa gttgaaatag 8700 
    gcggttctga gacggcggat ggtggcgagg agcaccaggt ctttgggccc ggcttgctgg 8760 
    atgcgcagac ggtcggccat gccccaggcg tggtcctgac acctggccag gtccttgtag 8820 
    tagtcctgca tgagccgctc cacgggcacc tcctcctcgc ccgcgcggcc gtgcatgcgc 8880 
    gtgagcccga agccgcgctg gggctggacg agcgccaggt cggcgacgac gcgctcggcg 8940 
    aggatggctt gctggatctg ggtgagggtg gtctggaagt catcaaagtc gacgaagcgg 9000 
    tggtaggctc cggtgttgat ggtgtaggag cagttggcca tgacggacca gttgacggtc 9060 
    tggtggcccg gacgcacgag ctcgtggtac ttgaggcgcg agtaggcgcg cgtgtcgaag 9120 
    atgtagtcgt tgcaggtgcg caccaggtac tggtagccga tgaggaagtg cggcggcggc 9180 
    tggcggtaga gcggccatcg ctcggtggcg ggggcgccgg gcgcgaggtc ctcgagcatg 9240 
    gtgcggtggt agccgtagat gtacctggac atccaggtga tgccggcggc ggtggtggag 9300 
    gcgcgcggga actcgcggac gcggttccag atgttgcgca gcggcaggaa gtagttcatg 9360 
    gtgggcacgg tctggcccgt gaggcgcgcg cagtcgtgga tgctctatac gggcaaaaac 9420 
    gaaagcggtc agcggctcga ctccgtggcc tggaggctaa gcgaacgggt tgggctgcgc 9480 
    gtgtaccccg gttcgaatct cgaatcaggc tggagccgca gctaacgtgg tattggcact 9540 
    cccgtctcga cccaagcctg caccaaccct ccaggatacg gaggcgggtc gttttgcaac 9600 
    ttttttttgg aggccggatg agactagtaa gcgcggaaag cggccgaccg cgatggctcg 9660 
    ctgccgtagt ctggagaaga atcgccaggg ttgcgttgcg gtgtgccccg gttcgaggcc 9720 
    ggccggattc cgcggctaac gagggcgtgg ctgccccgtc gtttccaaga ccccatagcc 9780 
    agccgacttc tccagttacg gagcgagccc ctcttttgtt ttgtttgttt ttgccagatg 9840 
    catcccgtac tgcggcagat gcgcccccac caccctccac cgcaacaaca gccccctcca 9900 
    cagccggcgc ttctgccccc gccccagcag caacttccag ccacgaccgc cgcggccgcc 9960 
    gtgagcgggg ctggacagag ttatgatcac cagctggcct tggaagaggg cgaggggctg 10020 
    gcgcgcctgg gggcgtcgtc gccggagcgg cacccgcgcg tgcagatgaa aagggacgct 10080 
    cgcgaggcct acgtgcccaa gcagaacctg ttcagagaca ggagcggcga ggagcccgag 10140 
    gagatgcgcg cggcccggtt ccacgcgggg cgggagctgc ggcgcggcct ggaccgaaag 10200 
    agggtgctga gggacgagga tttcgaggcg gacgagctga cggggatcag ccccgcgcgc 10260 
    gcgcacgtgg ccgcggccaa cctggtcacg gcgtacgagc agaccgtgaa ggaggagagc 10320 
    aacttccaaa aatccttcaa caaccacgtg cgcaccctga tcgcgcgcga ggaggtgacc 10380 
    ctgggcctga tgcacctgtg ggacctgctg gaggccatcg tgcagaaccc caccagcaag 10440 
    ccgctgacgg cgcagctgtt cctggtggtg cagcatagtc gggacaacga agcgttcagg 10500 
    gaggcgctgc tgaatatcac cgagcccgag ggccgctggc tcctggacct ggtgaacatt 10560 
    ctgcagagca tcgtggtgca ggagcgcggg ctgccgctgt ccgagaagct ggcggccatc 10620 
    aacttctcgg tgctgagttt gggcaagtac tacgctagga agatctacaa gaccccgtac 10680 
    gtgcccatag acaaggaggt gaagatcgac gggttttaca tgcgcatgac cctgaaagtg 10740 
    ctgaccctga gcgacgatct gggggtgtac cgcaacgaca ggatgcaccg tgcggtgagc 10800 
    gccagcaggc ggcgcgagct gagcgaccag gagctgatgc atagtctgca gcgggccctg 10860 
    accggggccg ggaccgaggg ggagagctac tttgacatgg gcgcggacct gcactggcag 10920 
    cccagccgcc gggccttgga ggcggcggca ggaccctacg tagaagaggt ggacgatgag 10980 
    gtggacgagg agggcgagta cctggaagac tgatggcgcg accgtatttt tgctagatgc 11040 
    aacaacaaca gccacctcct gatcccgcga tgcgggcggc gctgcagagc cagccgtccg 11100 
    gcattaactc ctcggacgat tggacccagg ccatgcaacg catcatggcg ctgacgaccc 11160 
    gcaaccccga agcctttaga cagcagcccc aggccaaccg gctctcggcc atcctggagg 11220 
    ccgtggtgcc ctcgcgctcc aaccccacgc acgagaaggt cctggccatc gtgaacgcgc 11280 
    tggtggagaa caaggccatc cgcggcgacg aggccggcct ggtgtacaac gcgctgctgg 11340 
    agcgcgtggc ccgctacaac agcaccaacg tgcagaccaa cctggaccgc atggtgaccg 11400 
    acgtgcgcga ggccgtggcc cagcgcgagc ggttccaccg cgagtccaac ctgggatcca 11460 
    tggtggcgct gaacgccttc ctcagcaccc agcccgccaa cgtgccccgg ggccaggagg 11520 
    actacaccaa cttcatcagc gccctgcgcc tgatggtgac cgaggtgccc cagagcgagg 11580 
    tgtaccagtc cgggccggac tacttcttcc agaccagtcg ccagggcttg cagaccgtga 11640 
    acctgagcca ggctttcaag aacttgcagg gcctgtgggg cgtgcaggcc ccggtcgggg 11700 
    accgcgcgac ggtgtcgagc ctgctgacgc cgaactcgcg cctgctgctg ctgctggtgg 11760 
    cccccttcac ggacagcggc agcatcaacc gcaactcgta cctgggctac ctgattaacc 11820 
    tgtaccgcga ggccatcggc caggcgcacg tggacgagca gacctaccag gagatcaccc 11880 
    acgtgagccg cgccctgggc caggacgacc cgggcaacct ggaagccacc ctgaactttt 11940 
    tgctgaccaa ccggtcgcag aagatcccgc cccagtacgc gctcagcacc gaggaggagc 12000 
    gcatcctgcg ttacgtgcag cagagcgtgg gcctgttcct gatgcaggag ggggccaccc 12060 
    ccagcgccgc gctcgacatg accgcgcgca acatggagcc cagcatgtac gccagcaacc 12120 
    gcccgttcat caataaactg atggactact tgcatcgggc ggccgccatg aactctgact 12180 
    atttcaccaa cgccatcctg aatccccact ggctcccgcc gccggggttc tacacgggcg 12240 
    agtacgacat gcccgacccc aatgacgggt tcctgtggga cgatgtggac agcagcgtgt 12300 
    tctccccccg accgggtgct aacgagcgcc ccttgtggaa gaaggaaggc agcgaccgac 12360 
    gcccgtcctc ggcgctgtcc ggccgcgagg gtgctgccgc ggcggtgccc gaggccgcca 12420 
    gtcctttccc gagcttgccc ttctcgctga acagtatccg cagcagcgag ctgggcagga 12480 
    tcacgcgccc gcgcttgctg ggcgaagagg agtacttgaa tgactcgctg ttgagacccg 12540 
    agcgggagaa gaacttcccc aataacggga tagaaagcct ggtggacaag atgagccgct 12600 
    ggaagacgta tgcgcaggag cacagggacg atccccgggc gtcgcagggg gccacgagcc 12660 
    ggggcagcgc cgcccgtaaa cgccggtggc acgacaggca gcggggacag atgtgggacg 12720 
    atgaggactc cgccgacgac agcagcgtgt tggacttggg tgggagtggt aacccgttcg 12780 
    ctcacctgcg cccccgtatc gggcgcatga tgtaagagaa accgaaaata aatgatactc 12840 
    accaaggcca tggcgaccag cgtgcgttcg tttcttctct gttgttgttg tatctagtat 12900 
    gatgaggcgt gcgtacccgg agggtcctcc tccctcgtac gagagcgtga tgcagcaggc 12960 
    gatggcggcg gcggcgatgc agcccccgct ggaggctcct tacgtgcccc cgcggtacct 13020 
    ggcgcctacg gaggggcgga acagcattcg ttactcggag ctggcaccct tgtacgatac 13080 
    cacccggttg tacctggtgg acaacaagtc ggcggacatc gcctcgctga actaccagaa 13140 
    cgaccacagc aacttcctga ccaccgtggt gcagaacaat gacttcaccc ccacggaggc 13200 
    cagcacccag accatcaact ttgacgagcg ctcgcggtgg ggcggccagc tgaaaaccat 13260 
    catgcacacc aacatgccca acgtgaacga gttcatgtac agcaacaagt tcaaggcgcg 13320 
    ggtgatggtc tcccgcaaga cccccaatgg ggtgacagtg acagaggatt atgatggtag 13380 
    tcaggatgag ctgaagtatg aatgggtgga atttgagctg cccgaaggca acttctcggt 13440 
    gaccatgacc atcgacctga tgaacaacgc catcatcgac aattacttgg cggtggggcg 13500 
    gcagaacggg gtgctggaga gcgacatcgg cgtgaagttc gacactagga acttcaggct 13560 
    gggctgggac cccgtgaccg agctggtcat gcccggggtg tacaccaacg aggctttcca 13620 
    tcccgatatt gtcttgctgc ccggctgcgg ggtggacttc accgagagcc gcctcagcaa 13680 
    cctgctgggc attcgcaaga ggcagccctt ccaggaaggc ttccagatca tgtacgagga 13740 
    tctggagggg ggcaacatcc ccgcgctcct ggatgtcgac gcctatgaga aaagcaagga 13800 
    ggatgcagca gctgaagcaa ctgcagccgt agctaccgcc tctaccgagg tcaggggcga 13860 
    taattttgca agcgccgcag cagtggcagc ggccgaggcg gctgaaaccg aaagtaagat 13920 
    agtcattcag ccggtggaga aggatagcaa gaacaggagc tacaacgtac taccggacaa 13980 
    gataaacacc gcctaccgca gctggtacct agcctacaac tatggcgacc ccgagaaggg 14040 
    cgtgcgctcc tggacgctgc tcaccacctc ggacgtcacc tgcggcgtgg agcaagtcta 14100 
    ctggtcgctg cccgacatga tgcaagaccc ggtcaccttc cgctccacgc gtcaagttag 14160 
    caactacccg gtggtgggcg ccgagctcct gcccgtctac tccaagagct tcttcaacga 14220 
    gcaggccgtc tactcgcagc agctgcgcgc cttcacctcg cttacgcacg tcttcaaccg 14280 
    cttccccgag aaccagatcc tcgtccgccc gcccgcgccc accattacca ccgtcagtga 14340 
    aaacgttcct gctctcacag atcacgggac cctgccgctg cgcagcagta tccggggagt 14400 
    ccagcgcgtg accgttactg acgccagacg ccgcacctgc ccctacgtct acaaggccct 14460 
    gggcatagtc gcgccgcgcg tcctctcgag ccgcaccttc taaatgtcca ttctcatctc 14520 
    gcccagtaat aacaccggtt ggggcctgcg cgcgcccagc aagatgtacg gaggcgctcg 14580 
    ccaacgctcc acgcaacacc ccgtgcgcgt gcgcgggcac ttccgcgctc cctggggcgc 14640 
    cctcaagggc cgcgtgcggt cgcgcaccac cgtcgacgac gtgatcgacc aggtggtggc 14700 
    cgacgcgcgc aactacaccc ccgccgccgc gcccgtctcc accgtggacg ccgtcatcga 14760 
    cagcgtggtg gcggacgcgc gccggtacgc ccgcgccaag agccggcggc ggcgcatcgc 14820 
    ccggcggcac cggagcaccc ccgccatgcg cgcggcgcga gccttgctgc gcagggccag 14880 
    gcgcacggga cgcagggcca tgctcagggc ggccagacgc gcggcttcag gcgccagcgc 14940 
    cggcaggacc cggagacgcg cggccacggc ggcggcagcg gccatcgcca gcatgtcccg 15000 
    cccgcggcga gggaacgtgt actgggtgcg cgacgccgcc accggtgtgc gcgtgcccgt 15060 
    gcgcacccgc ccccctcgca cttgaagatg ttcacttcgc gatgttgatg tgtcccagcg 15120 
    gcgaggagga tgtccaagcg caaattcaag gaagagatgc tccaggtcat cgcgcctgag 15180 
    atctacggcc ctgcggtggt gaaggaggaa agaaagcccc gcaaaatcaa gcgggtcaaa 15240 
    aaggacaaaa aggaagaaga aagtgatgtg gacggattgg tggagtttgt gcgcgagttc 15300 
    gccccccggc ggcgcgtgca gtggcgcggg cggaaggtgc aaccggtgct gagacccggc 15360 
    accaccgtgg tcttcacgcc cggcgagcgc tccggcaccg cttccaagcg ctcctacgac 15420 
    gaggtgtacg gggatgatga tattctggag caggcggccg agcgcctggg cgagtttgct 15480 
    tacggcaagc gcagccgttc cgcaccgaag gaagaggcgg tgtccatccc gctggaccac 15540 
    ggcaacccca cgccgagcct caagcccgtg accttgcagc aggtgctgcc gaccgcggcg 15600 
    ccgcgccggg ggttcaagcg cgagggcgag gatctgtacc ccaccatgca gctgatggtg 15660 
    cccaagcgcc agaagctgga agacgtgctg gagaccatga aggtggaccc ggacgtgcag 15720 
    cccgaggtca aggtgcggcc catcaagcag gtggccccgg gcctgggcgt gcagaccgtg 15780 
    gacatcaaga ttcccacgga gcccatggaa acgcagaccg agcccatgat caagcccagc 15840 
    accagcacca tggaggtgca gacggatccc tggatgccat cggctcctag tcgaagaccc 15900 
    cggcgcaagt acggcgcggc cagcctgctg atgcccaact acgcgctgca tccttccatc 15960 
    atccccacgc cgggctaccg cggcacgcgc ttctaccgcg gtcataccag cagccgccgc 16020 
    cgcaagacca ccactcgccg ccgccgtcgc cgcaccgccg ctgcaaccac ccctgccgcc 16080 
    ctggtgcgga gagtgtaccg ccgcggccgc gcacctctga ccctgccgcg cgcgcgctac 16140 
    cacccgagca tcgccattta aactttcgcc agctttgcag atcaatggcc ctcacatgcc 16200 
    gccttcgcgt tcccattacg ggctaccgag gaagaaaacc gcgccgtaga aggctggcgg 16260 
    ggaacgggat gcgtcgccac caccaccggc ggcggcgcgc catcagcaag cggttggggg 16320 
    gaggcttcct gcccgcgctg atccccatca tcgccgcggc gatcggggcg atccccggca 16380 
    ttgcttccgt ggcggtgcag gcctctcagc gccactgaga cacacttgga aacatcttgt 16440 
    aataaaccca tggactctga cgctcctggt cctgtgatgt gttttcgtag acagatggaa 16500 
    gacatcaatt tttcgtccct ggctccgcga cacggcacgc ggccgttcat gggcacctgg 16560 
    agcgacatcg gcaccagcca actgaacggg ggcgccttca attggagcag tctctggagc 16620 
    gggcttaaga atttcgggtc cacgcttaaa acctatggca gcaaggcgtg gaacagcacc 16680 
    acagggcagg cgctgaggga taagctgaaa gagcagaact tccagcagaa ggtggtcgat 16740 
    gggctcgcct cgggcatcaa cggggtggtg gacctggcca accaggccgt gcagcggcag 16800 
    atcaacagcc gcctggaccc ggtgccgccc gccggctccg tggagatgcc gcaggtggag 16860 
    gaggagctgc ctcccctgga caagcggggc gagaagcgac cccgccccga tgcggaggag 16920 
    acgctgctga cgcacacgga cgagccgccc ccgtacgagg aggcggtgaa actgggtctg 16980 
    cccaccacgc ggcccatcgc gcccctggcc accggggtgc tgaaacccga aaagcccgcg 17040 
    accctggact tgcctcctcc ccagccttcc cgcccctcta cagtggctaa gcccctgccg 17100 
    ccggtggccg tggcccgcgc gcgacccggg ggcaccgccc gccctcatgc gaactggcag 17160 
    agcactctga acagcatcgt gggtctggga gtgcagagtg tgaagcgccg ccgctgctat 17220 
    taaacctacc gtagcgctta acttgcttgt ctgtgtgtgt atgtattatg tcgccgccgc 17280 
    cgctgtccac cagaaggagg agtgaagagg cgcgtcgccg agttgcaaga tggccacccc 17340 
    atcgatgctg ccccagtggg cgtacatgca catcgccgga caggacgctt cggagtacct 17400 
    gagtccgggt ctggtgcagt ttgcccgcgc cacagacacc tacttcagtc tggggaacaa 17460 
    gtttaggaac cccacggtgg cgcccacgca cgatgtgacc accgaccgca gccagcggct 17520 
    gacgctgcgc ttcgtgcccg tggaccgcga ggacaacacc tactcgtaca aagtgcgcta 17580 
    cacgctggcc gtgggcgaca accgcgtgct ggacatggcc agcacctact ttgacatccg 17640 
    cggcgtgctg gatcggggcc ctagcttcaa accctactcc ggcaccgcct acaacagtct 17700 
    ggcccccaag ggagcaccca acacttgtca gtggacatat aaagccgatg gtgaaactgc 17760 
    cacagaaaaa acctatacat atggaaatgc acccgtgcag ggcattaaca tcacaaaaga 17820 
    tggtattcaa cttggaactg acaccgatga tcagccaatc tacgcagata aaacctatca 17880 
    gcctgaacct caagtgggtg atgctgaatg gcatgacatc actggtactg atgaaaagta 17940 
    tggaggcaga gctcttaagc ctgataccaa aatgaagcct tgttatggtt cttttgccaa 18000 
    gcctactaat aaagaaggag gtcaggcaaa tgtgaaaaca ggaacaggca ctactaaaga 18060 
    atatgacata gacatggctt tctttgacaa cagaagtgcg gctgctgctg gcctagctcc 18120 
    agaaattgtt ttgtatactg aaaatgtgga tttggaaact ccagataccc atattgtata 18180 
    caaagcaggc acagatgaca gcagctcttc tattaatttg ggtcagcaag ccatgcccaa 18240 
    cagacctaac tacattggtt tcagagacaa ctttatcggg ctcatgtact acaacagcac 18300 
    tggcaatatg ggggtgctgg ccggtcaggc ttctcagctg aatgctgtgg ttgacttgca 18360 
    agacagaaac accgagctgt cctaccagct cttgcttgac tctctgggtg acagaacccg 18420 
    gtatttcagt atgtggaatc aggcggtgga cagctatgat cctgatgtgc gcattattga 18480 
    aaatcatggt gtggaggatg aacttcccaa ctattgtttc cctctggatg ctgttggcag 18540 
    aacagatact tatcagggaa ttaaggctaa tggaactgat caaaccacat ggaccaaaga 18600 
    tgacagtgtc aatgatgcta atgagatagg caagggtaat ccattcgcca tggaaatcaa 18660 
    catccaagcc aacctgtgga ggaacttcct ctacgccaac gtggccctgt acctgcccga 18720 
    ctcttacaag tacacgccgg ccaatgttac cctgcccacc aacaccaaca cctacgatta 18780 
    catgaacggc cgggtggtgg cgccctcgct ggtggactcc tacatcaaca tcggggcgcg 18840 
    ctggtcgctg gatcccatgg acaacgtgaa ccccttcaac caccaccgca atgcggggct 18900 
    gcgctaccgc tccatgctcc tgggcaacgg gcgctacgtg cccttccaca tccaggtgcc 18960 
    ccagaaattt ttcgccatca agagcctcct gctcctgccc gggtcctaca cctacgagtg 19020 
    gaacttccgc aaggacgtca acatgatcct gcagagctcc ctcggcaacg acctgcgcac 19080 
    ggacggggcc tccatctcct tcaccagcat caacctctac gccaccttct tccccatggc 19140 
    gcacaacacg gcctccacgc tcgaggccat gctgcgcaac gacaccaacg accagtcctt 19200 
    caacgactac ctctcggcgg ccaacatgct ctaccccatc ccggccaacg ccaccaacgt 19260 
    gcccatctcc atcccctcgc gcaactgggc cgccttccgc ggctggtcct tcacgcgtct 19320 
    caagaccaag gagacgccct cgctgggctc cgggttcgac ccctacttcg tctactcggg 19380 
    ctccatcccc tacctcgacg gcaccttcta cctcaaccac accttcaaga aggtctccat 19440 
    caccttcgac tcctccgtca gctggcccgg caacgaccgg ctcctgacgc ccaacgagtt 19500 
    cgaaatcaag cgcaccgtcg acggcgaggg ctacaacgtg gcccagtgca acatgaccaa 19560 
    ggactggttc ctggtccaga tgctggccca ctacaacatc ggctaccagg gcttctacgt 19620 
    gcccgagggc tacaaggacc gcatgtactc cttcttccgc aacttccagc ccatgagccg 19680 
    ccaggtggtg gacgaggtca actacaagga ctaccaggcc gtcaccctgg cctaccagca 19740 
    caacaactcg ggcttcgtcg gctacctcgc gcccaccatg cgccagggcc agccctaccc 19800 
    cgccaactac ccctacccgc tcatcggcaa gagcgccgtc accagcgtca cccagaaaaa 19860 
    gttcctctgc gacagggtca tgtggcgcat ccccttctcc agcaacttca tgtccatggg 19920 
    cgcgctcacc gacctcggcc agaacatgct ctatgccaac tccgcccacg cgctagacat 19980 
    gaatttcgaa gtcgacccca tggatgagtc cacccttctc tatgttgtct tcgaagtctt 20040 
    cgacgtcgtc cgagtgcacc agccccaccg cggcgtcatc gaggccgtct acctgcgcac 20100 
    ccccttctcg gccggtaacg ccaccaccta agctcttgct tcttgcaagc catggccgcg 20160 
    ggctccggcg agcaggagct cagggccatc atccgcgacc tgggctgcgg gccctacttc 20220 
    ctgggcacct tcgataagcg cttcccggga ttcatggccc cgcacaagct ggcctgcgcc 20280 
    atcgtcaaca cggccggccg cgagaccggg ggcgagcact ggctggcctt cgcctggaac 20340 
    ccgcgctcga acacctgcta cctcttcgac cccttcgggt tctcggacga gcgcctcaag 20400 
    cagatctacc agttcgagta cgagggcctg ctgcgccgca gcgccctggc caccgaggac 20460 
    cgctgcgtca ccctggaaaa gtccacccag accgtgcagg gtccgcgctc ggccgcctgc 20520 
    gggctcttct gctgcatgtt cctgcacgcc ttcgtgcact ggcccgaccg ccccatggac 20580 
    aagaacccca ccatgaactt gctgacgggg gtgcccaacg gcatgctcca gtcgccccag 20640 
    gtggaaccca ccctgcgccg caaccaggag gcgctctacc gcttcctcaa ctcccactcc 20700 
    gcctactttc gctcccaccg cgcgcgcatc gagaaggcca ccgccttcga ccgcatgaat 20760 
    caagacatgt aaaccgtgtg tgtatgttaa atgtctttaa taaacagcac tttcatgtta 20820 
    cacatgcatc tgagatgatt tatttagaaa tcgaaagggt tctgccgggt ctcggcatgg 20880 
    cccgcgggca gggacacgtt gcggaactgg tacttggcca gccacttgaa ctcggggatc 20940 
    agcagtttgg gcagcggggt gtcggggaag gagtcggtcc acagcttccg cgtcagttgc 21000 
    agggcgccca gcaggtcggg cgcggagatc ttgaaatcgc agttgggacc cgcgttctgc 21060 
    gcgcgggagt tgcggtacac ggggttgcag cactggaaca ccatcagggc cgggtgcttc 21120 
    acgctcgcca gcaccgtcgc gtcggtgatg ctctccacgt cgaggtcctc ggcgttggcc 21180 
    atcccgaagg gggtcatctt gcaggtctgc cttcccatgg tgggcacgca cccgggcttg 21240 
    tggttgcaat cgcagtgcag ggggatcagc atcatctggg cctggtcggc gttcatcccc 21300 
    gggtacatgg ccttcatgaa agcctccaat tgcctgaacg cctgctgggc cttggctccc 21360 
    tcggtgaaga agaccccgca ggacttgcta gagaactggt tggtggcgca cccggcgtcg 21420 
    tgcacgcagc agcgcgcgtc gttgttggcc agctgcacca cgctgcgccc ccagcggttc 21480 
    tgggtgatct tggcccggtc ggggttctcc ttcagcgcgc gctgcccgtt ctcgctcgcc 21540 
    acatccatct cgatcatgtg ctccttctgg atcatggtgg tcccgtgcag gcaccgcagc 21600 
    ttgccctcgg cctcggtgca cccgtgcagc cacagcgcgc acccggtgca ctcccagttc 21660 
    ttgtgggcga tctgggaatg cgcgtgcacg aagccctgca ggaagcggcc catcatggtg 21720 
    gtcagggtct tgttgctagt gaaggtcagc ggaatgccgc ggtgctcctc gttgatgtac 21780 
    aggtggcaga tgcggcggta cacctcgccc tgctcgggca tcagctggaa gttggctttc 21840 
    aggtcggtct ccacgcggta gcggtccatc agcatagtca tgatttccat acccttctcc 21900 
    caggccgaga cgatgggcag gctcataggg ttcttcacca tcatcttagc gctagcagcc 21960 
    gcggccaggg ggtcgctctc gtccagggtc tcaaagctcc gcttgccgtc cttctcggtg 22020 
    atccgcaccg gggggtagct gaagcccacg gccgccagct cctcctcggc ctgtctttcg 22080 
    tcctcgctgt cctggctgac gtcctgcagg accacatgct tggtcttgcg gggtttcttc 22140 
    ttgggcggca gcggcggcgg agatgttgga gatggcgagg gggagcgcga gttctcgctc 22200 
    accactacta tctcttcctc ttcttggtcc gaggccacgc ggcggtaggt atgtctcttc 22260 
    gggggcagag gcggaggcga cgggctctcg ccgccgcgac ttggcggatg gctggcagag 22320 
    ccccttccgc gttcgggggt gcgctcccgg cggcgctctg actgacttcc tccgcggccg 22380 
    gccattgtgt tctcctaggg aggaacaaca agcatggaga ctcagccatc gccaacctcg 22440 
    ccatctgccc ccaccgccga cgagaagcag cagcagcaga atgaaagctt aaccgccccg 22500 
    ccgcccagcc ccgccacctc cgacgcggcc gtcccagaca tgcaagagat ggaggaatcc 22560 
    atcgagattg acctgggcta tgtgacgccc gcggagcacg aggaggagct ggcagtgcgc 22620 
    ttttcacaag aagagataca ccaagaacag ccagagcagg aagcagagaa tgagcagagt 22680 
    caggctgggc tcgagcatga cggcgactac ctccacctga gcggggggga ggacgcgctc 22740 
    atcaagcatc tggcccggca ggccaccatc gtcaaggatg cgctgctcga ccgcaccgag 22800 
    gtgcccctca gcgtggagga gctcagccgc gcctacgagt tgaacctctt ctcgccgcgc 22860 
    gtgcccccca agcgccagcc caatggcacc tgcgagccca acccgcgcct caacttctac 22920 
    ccggtcttcg cggtgcccga ggccctggcc acctaccaca tctttttcaa gaaccaaaag 22980 
    atccccgtct cctgccgcgc caaccgcacc cgcgccgacg cccttttcaa cctgggtccc 23040 
    ggcgcccgcc tacctgatat cgcctccttg gaagaggttc ccaagatctt cgagggtctg 23100 
    ggcagcgacg agactcgggc cgcgaacgct ctgcaaggag aaggaggaga gcatgagcac 23160 
    cacagcgccc tggtcgagtt ggaaggcgac aacgcgcggc tggcggtgct caaacgcacg 23220 
    gtcgagctga cccatttcgc ctacccggct ctgaacctgc cccccaaagt catgagcgcg 23280 
    gtcatggacc aggtgctcat caagcgcgcg tcgcccatct ccgaggacga gggcatgcaa 23340 
    gactccgagg agggcaagcc cgtggtcagc gacgagcagc tggcccggtg gctgggtcct 23400 
    aatgctagtc cccagagttt ggaagagcgg cgcaaactca tgatggccgt ggtcctggtg 23460 
    accgtggagc tggagtgcct gcgccgcttc ttcgccgacg cggagaccct gcgcaaggtc 23520 
    gaggagaacc tgcactacct cttcaggcac gggttcgtgc gccaggcctg caagatctcc 23580 
    aacgtggagc tgaccaacct ggtctcctac atgggcatct tgcacgagaa ccgcctgggg 23640 
    cagaacgtgc tgcacaccac cctgcgcggg gaggcccggc gcgactacat ccgcgactgc 23700 
    gtctacctct acctctgcca cacctggcag acgggcatgg gcgtgtggca gcagtgtctg 23760 
    gaggagcaga acctgaaaga gctctgcaag ctcctgcaga agaacctcaa gggtctgtgg 23820 
    accgggttcg acgagcgcac caccgcctcg gacctggccg acctcatttt ccccgagcgc 23880 
    ctcaggctga cgctgcgcaa cggcctgccc gactttatga gccaaagcat gttgcaaaac 23940 
    tttcgctctt tcatcctcga acgctccgga atcctgcccg ccacctgctc cgcgctgccc 24000 
    tcggacttcg tgccgctgac cttccgcgag tgccccccgc cgctgtggag ccactgctac 24060 
    ctgctgcgcc tggccaacta cctggcctac cactcggacg tgatcgagga cgtcagcggc 24120 
    gagggcctgc tcgagtgcca ctgccgctgc aacctctgca cgccgcaccg ctccctggcc 24180 
    tgcaaccccc agctgctgag cgagacccag atcatcggca ccttcgagtt gcaagggccc 24240 
    agcgaaggcg agggttcagc cgccaagggg ggtctgaaac tcaccccggg gctgtggacc 24300 
    tcggcctact tgcgcaagtt cgtgcccgag gactaccatc ccttcgagat caggttctac 24360 
    gaggaccaat cccatccgcc caaggccgag ctgtcggcct gcgtcatcac ccagggggcg 24420 
    atcctggccc aattgcaagc catccagaaa tcccgccaag aattcttgct gaaaaagggc 24480 
    cgcggggtct acctcgaccc ccagaccggt gaggagctca accccggctt cccccaggat 24540 
    gccccgagga aacaagaagc tgaaagtgga gctgccgccc gtggaggatt tggaggaaga 24600 
    ctgggagaac agcagtcagg cagaggagga ggagatggag gaagactggg acagcactca 24660 
    ggcagaggag gacagcctgc aagacagtct ggaggaagac gaggaggagg cagaggagga 24720 
    ggtggaagaa gcagccgccg ccagaccgtc gtcctcggcg ggggagaaag caagcagcac 24780 
    ggataccatc tccgctccgg gtcggggtcc cgctcgacca cacagtagat gggacgagac 24840 
    cggacgattc ccgaacccca ccacccagac cggtaagaag gagcggcagg gatacaagtc 24900 
    ctggcggggg cacaaaaacg ccatcgtctc ctgcttgcag gcctgcgggg gcaacatctc 24960 
    cttcacccgg cgctacctgc tcttccaccg cggggtgaac tttccccgca acatcttgca 25020 
    ttactaccgt cacctccaca gcccctacta cttccaagaa gaggcagcag cagcagaaaa 25080 
    agaccagcag aaaaccagca gctagaaaat ccacagcggc ggcagcaggt ggactgagga 25140 
    tcgcggcgaa cgagccggcg caaacccggg agctgaggaa ccggatcttt cccaccctct 25200 
    atgccatctt ccagcagagt cgggggcagg agcaggaact gaaagtcaag aaccgttctc 25260 
    tgcgctcgct cacccgcagt tgtctgtatc acaagagcga agaccaactt cagcgcactc 25320 
    tcgaggacgc cgaggctctc ttcaacaagt actgcgcgct cactcttaaa gagtagcccg 25380 
    cgcccgccca gtcgcagaaa aaggcgggaa ttacgtcacc tgtgcccttc gccctagccg 25440 
    cctccaccca tcatcatgag caaagagatt cccacgcctt acatgtggag ctaccagccc 25500 
    cagatgggcc tggccgccgg tgccgcccag gactactcca cccgcatgaa ttggctcagc 25560 
    gccgggcccg cgatgatctc acgggtgaat gacatccgcg cccaccgaaa ccagatactc 25620 
    ctagaacagt cagcgctcac cgccacgccc cgcaatcacc tcaatccgcg taattggccc 25680 
    gccgccctgg tgtaccagga aattccccag cccacgaccg tactacttcc gcgagacgcc 25740 
    caggccgaag tccagctgac taactcaggt gtccagctgg cgggcggcgc caccctgtgt 25800 
    cgtcaccgcc ccgctcaggg tataaagcgg ctggtgatcc ggggcagagg cacacagctc 25860 
    aacgacgagg tggtgagctc ttcgctgggt ctgcgacctg acggagtctt ccaactcgcc 25920 
    ggatcgggga gatcttcctt cacgcctcgt caggccgtcc tgactttgga gagttcgtcc 25980 
    tcgcagcccc gctcgggtgg catcggcact ctccagttcg tggaggagtt cactccctcg 26040 
    gtctacttca accccttctc cggctccccc ggccactacc cggacgagtt catcccgaac 26100 
    ttcgacgcca tcagcgagtc ggtggacggc tacgattgag tttaaactca cccccttatc 26160 
    cagtgaaata aagatcatat tgatgatgat tttacagaaa taaaaaataa tcatttgatt 26220 
    tgaaataaag atacaatcat attgatgatt tgagtttaac aaaaaaataa agaatcactt 26280 
    acttgaaatc tgataccagg tctctgtcca tgttttctgc caacaccact tcactcccct 26340 
    cttcccagct ctggtactgc aggccccggc gggctgcaaa cttcctccac acgctgaagg 26400 
    ggatgtcaaa ttcctcctgt ccctcaatct tcattttatc ttctatcaga tgtccaaaaa 26460 
    gcgcgtccgg gtggatgatg acttcgaccc cgtctacccc tacgatgcag acaacgcacc 26520 
    gaccgtgccc ttcatcaacc cccccttcgt ctcttcagat ggattccaag agaagcccct 26580 
    gggggtgttg tccctgcgac tggccgaccc cgtcaccacc aagaacgggg aaatcaccct 26640 
    caagctggga gagggggtgg acctcgattc ctcgggaaaa ctcatctcca acacggccac 26700 
    caaggccgcc gcccctctca gtttttccaa caacaccatt tcccttaaca tggatcaccc 26760 
    cttttacact aaagatggaa aattatcctt acaagtttct ccaccattaa atatactgag 26820 
    aacaagcatt ctaaacacac tagctttagg ttttggatca ggtttaggac tccgtggctc 26880 
    tgccttggca gtacagttag tctctccact tacatttgat actgatggaa acataaagct 26940 
    taccttagac agaggtttgc atgttacaac aggagatgca attgaaagca acataagctg 27000 
    ggctaaaggt ttaaaatttg aagatggagc catagcaacc aacattggaa atgggttaga 27060 
    gtttggaagc agtagtacag aaacaggtgt tgatgatgct tacccaatcc aagttaaact 27120 
    tggatctggc cttagctttg acagtacagg agccataatg gctggtaaca aagaagacga 27180 
    taaactcact ttgtggacaa cacctgatcc atcaccaaac tgtcaaatac tcgcagaaaa 27240 
    tgatgcaaaa ctaacacttt gcttgactaa atgtggtagt caaatactgg ccactgtgtc 27300 
    agtcttagtt gtaggaagtg gaaacctaaa ccccattact ggcaccgtaa gcagtgctca 27360 
    ggtgtttcta cgttttgatg caaacggtgt tcttttaaca gaacattcta cactaaaaaa 27420 
    atactggggg tataggcagg gagatagcat agatggcact ccatatacca atgctgtagg 27480 
    attcatgccc aatttaaaag cttatccaaa gtcacaaagt tctactacta aaaataatat 27540 
    agtagggcaa gtatacatga atggagatgt ttcaaaacct atgcttctca ctataaccct 27600 
    caatggtact gatgacagca acagtacata ttcaatgtca ttttcataca cctggactaa 27660 
    tggaagctat gttggagcaa catttggggc taactcttat accttctcat acatcgccca 27720 
    agaatgaaca ctgtatccca ccctgcatgc caacccttcc caccccactc tgtggaacaa 27780 
    actctgaaac acaaaataaa ataaagttca agtgttttat tgattcaaca gtttcacaga 27840 
    accctagtat tcaacctgcc acctccctcc caacacacag agtacacagt cctttctccc 27900 
    cggctggcct taaaaagcat catatcatgg gtaacagaca tattcttagg tgttatattc 27960 
    cacacggttt cctgtcgagc caaacgctca tcagtgatat taataaactc cccgggcagc 28020 
    tcacttaagt tcatgtcgct gtccagctgc tgagccacag gctgctgtcc aacttgcggt 28080 
    tgcttaacgg gcggcgaagg agaagtccac gcctacatgg gggtagagtc ataatcgtgc 28140 
    atcaggatag ggcggtggtg ctgcagcagc gcgcgaataa actgctgccg ccgccgctcc 28200 
    gtcctgcagg aatacaacat ggcagtggtc tcctcagcga tgattcgcac cgcccgcagc 28260 
    ataaggcgcc ttgtcctccg ggcacagcag cgcaccctga tctcacttaa atcagcacag 28320 
    taactgcagc acagcaccac aatattgttc aaaatcccac agtgcaaggc gctgtatcca 28380 
    aagctcatgg cggggaccac agaacccacg tggccatcat accacaagcg caggtagatt 28440 
    aagtggcgac ccctcataaa cacgctggac ataaacatta cctcttttgg catgttgtaa 28500 
    ttcaccacct cccggtacca tataaacctc tgattaaaca tggcgccatc caccaccatc 28560 
    ctaaaccagc tggccaaaac ctgcccgccg gctatacact gcagggaacc gggactggaa 28620 
    caatgacagt ggagagccca ggactcgtaa ccatggatca tcatgctcgt catgatatca 28680 
    atgttggcac aacacaggca cacgtgcata cacttcctca ggattacaag ctcctcccgc 28740 
    gttagaacca tatcccaggg aacaacccat tcctgaatca gcgtaaatcc cacactgcag 28800 
    ggaagacctc gcacgtaact cacgttgtgc attgtcaaag tgttacattc gggcagcagc 28860 
    ggatgatcct ccagtatggt agcgcgggtt tctgtctcaa aaggaggtag acgatcccta 28920 
    ctgtacggag tgcgccgaga caaccgagat cgtgttggtc gtagtgtcat gccaaatgga 28980 
    acgccggacg tagtcatatt tcctgaagca aaaccaggtg cgggcgtgac aaacagatct 29040 
    gcgtctccgg tctcgccgct tagatcgctc tgtgtagtag ttgtagtata tccactctct 29100 
    caaagcatcc aggcgccccc tggcttcggg ttctatgtaa actccttcat gcgccgctgc 29160 
    cctgataaca tccaccaccg cagaataagc cacacccagc caacctacac attcgttctg 29220 
    cgagtcacac acgggaggag cgggaagagc tggaagaacc atgattaact ttattccaaa 29280 
    cggtctcgga gcacttcaaa atgcaggtcc cggaggtggc acctctcgcc cccactgtgt 29340 
    tggtggaaaa taacagccag gtcaaaggtg acacggttct cgagatgttc cacggtggct 29400 
    tccagcaaag cctccacgcg cacatccaga aacaagagga cagcgaaagc gggagcgttt 29460 
    tctaattcct caatcatcat attacactcc tgcaccatcc ccagataatt ttcatttttc 29520 
    cagccttgaa tgattcgtat tagttcctga ggtaaatcca agccagccat gataaaaagc 29580 
    tcgcgcagag cgccctccac cggcattctt aagcacaccc tcataattcc aagagattct 29640 
    gctcctggtt cacctgcagc agattaacaa tgggaatatc aaaatctctg ccgcgatccc 29700 
    taagctcctc cctcaacaat aactgtatgt aatctttcat atcatctccg aaatttttag 29760 
    ccatagggcc gccaggaata agagcagggc aagccacatt acagataaag cgaagtcctc 29820 
    cccagtgwgc attgccaaat gtaagattga aataagcatg ctggctagac cctgtgatat 29880 
    cttccagata actggacaga aaatcaggca agcaattttt aagaaaatca acaaaagaaa 29940 
    agtcgtccag gtgcaggttt agagcctcag gaacaacgat ggaataagtg caaggagtgc 30000 
    gttccagcat ggttagtgtt tttttggtga tctgtagaac aaaaaataaa catgcaatat 30060 
    taaaccatgc tagcctggcg aacaggtggg taaatcactc tttccagcac caggcaggct 30120 
    acggggtctc cggcgcgacc ctcgtagaag ctgtcgccat gattgaaaag catcaccgag 30180 
    agaccttccc ggtggccggc atggatgatt cgagaagaag catacactcc gggaacattg 30240 
    gcatccgtga gtgaaaaaaa gcgacctata aagcctcggg gcactacaat gctcaatctc 30300 
    aattccagca aagccacccc atgcggatgg agcacaaaat tggcaggtgc gtaaaaaatg 30360 
    taattactcc cctcctgcac aggcagcaaa gcccccgctc cctccagaaa cacatacaaa 30420 
    gcctcagcgt ccatagctta ccgagcacgg caggcgcaag agtcagagaa aaggctgagc 30480 
    tctaacctga ctgcccgctc ctgtgctcaa tatatagccc taacctacac tgacgtaaag 30540 
    gccaaagtct aaaaataccc gccaaataat cacacacgcc cagcacacgc ccagaaaccg 30600 
    gtgacacact caaaaaaata cgcgcacttc ctcaaacgcc caaaactgcc gtcatttccg 30660 
    ggttcccacg ctacgtcatc aaaacacgac tttcaaattc cgtcgaccgt taaaaacgtc 30720 
    acccgccccg cccctaacgg tcgcccgtct ctcagccaat cagcgccccg catccccaaa 30780 
    ttcaaacacc tcatttgcat attaacgcgc acaaaaagtt tgaggtatat tattgatgat 30840 
    gg 30842
    SEQ ID NO: 6-bgh polyadenylation signal 
    ctgtgccttctagttgccagccatctgttgtttgcccctcccccgtgccttccttgaccctggaaggtgcc 
    actcccactgtcctttcctaataaaatgaggaaattgcatcgcattgtctgagtaggtgtcattctattct 
    ggggggtggggtggggcaggacagcaagggggaggattgggaagacaatagcaggcatgctggggatgcgg
    tgggctctatgg
    SEQ ID NO: 7: long CMV promoter 
    ATCGCCATTTTTCCAAAAGTGATTTTTGGGCATACGCGATATCTGGCGATAGCGCTTA 
    TATCGTTTACGGGGGATGGCGATAGACGATTTGGTGACTTGGGCGATTCTGTGTGT 
    CGCAAATATCGCATTTCGATATAGGTGACAGACGATATGAGGCTATATCGCCGATA 
    GAGGCGACATCAAGCTGGCACATGGCCAATGCATATCGATCTATACATTGAATCAATA 
    TTGGCCATTAGCCATATTATTCATTGGTTATATAGCATAAATCAATATTGGCTATTGG 
    CCATTGCATACGTTGTATCCATATCATAATATGTACATTTATATTGGCTCATGTCCAAC 
    ATTACCGCCATGTTGACATTGATTATTGACTAGTTATTAATAGTAATCAATTACGGGG 
    TCATTAGTTCATAGCCCATATATGGAGTTCCGCGTTACATAACTTACGGTAAATGGCC 
    CGCCTGGCTGACCGCCCAACGACCCCCGCCCATTGACGTCAATAATGACGTATGTTCC 
    CATAGTAACGCCAATAGGGACTTCCATTGACGTCAATGGGTGGAGTATTTACGGTAA 
    ACTGCCCACTTGGCAGTACATCAAGTGTATCATATGCCAAGTACGCCCCCTATTGACG 
    TCAATGACGGTAAATGGCCCGCCTGGCATTATGCCCAGTACATGACCTTATGGGACTT 
    TCCTACTTGGCAGTACATCTACGTATTAGTCATCGCTATTACCATGGTGATGCGGTTT 
    TGGCAGTACATCAATGGGCGTGGATAGCGGTTTGACTCACGGGGATTTCCAAGTCTC 
    CACCCCATTGACGTCAATGGGAGTTTGTTTGGCACCAAAATCAACGGGATTTCCAA 
    AATGTCGTAACAACTCCGCCCCATTGACGCAAATGGGCGGTAGGCGTGTACGGTGGG 
    AGGTCTATATAAGCAGAGCTCTCCCTATCAGTGATAGAGATCTCCCTATCAGTGATAG 
    AGATCGTCGACGAGCTCGTTTAGTGAACCGTCAGATCGCCTGGAGACGCCATCCACG 
    CTGTTTGACCTCCATAGAAGACACCGGGACCGATCCAGCCTCCGCGGCCGGGAACG 
    GTGCATTGGAACGCGGATTCCCCGTGCCAAGAGTGACGTAAGTACCGCCTATAGAGT 
    CTATAGGCCCACCCCCTTGGCTTCTTATGCATGCTATACTGTTTTTGGCTTGGGGTCT 
    ATACACCCCCGCTTCCTCATGTTATAGGTGATGGTATAGCTTAGCCTATAGGTGTGGG 
    TTATTGACCATTATTGACCACTCCCCTATTGGTGACGATACTTTCCATTACTAATCCAT 
    AACATGGCTTTGCCACAACTCTTTATTGGCTATATGCCAATACACTGTCCTTCAG 
    AGACTGACACGGACTCTGTATTTTTACAGGATGGGGTCTCATTATTATTTACAAATT 
    CACATATACAACACCACCGTCCCCAGTGCCCGCAGTTTTTATTAAACATAACGTGGGA 
    TCTCCACGCGAATCTCGGGTACGTGTTCCGGACATGGGCTCTTCTCCGGTAGCGGCG 
    GAGCTTCTACATCCGAGCCCTGCTCCCATGCCTCCAGCGACTCATGGTCGCTCGGCAG 
    CTCCTTGCTCCTAACAGTGGAGGCCAGACTTAGGCACAGCACGATGCCCACCACCACC 
    AGTGTGCCGCACAAGGCCGTGGCGGTAGGGTATGTGTCTGAAAATGAGCTCGGGGA 
    GCGGGCTTGCACCGCTGACGCATTTGGAAGACTTAAGGCAGCGGCAGAAGAAGATGC 
    AGGCAGCTGAGTTGTTGTGTTCTGATAAGAGTCAGAGGTAACTCCCGTTGCGGTGCT 
    GTTAACGGTGGAGGGCAGTGTAGTCTGAGCAGTACTCGTTGCTGCCGCGCGCGCCAC 
    CAGACATAATAGCTGACAGACTAACAGACTGTTCCTTTCCATGGGTCTTTTCTGCA 

Claims (34)

1. A composition comprising a viral vector comprising nucleic acid having a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen, wherein the viral vector is an adenoviral vector.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the at least one epitope comprises at least one CD4 T cell epitope and at least one CD8 T cell epitope.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the adenoviral vector is of human or simian origin.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the adenoviral vector is selected from the group consisting of ChAdOx 1 and ChAdOx 2.
5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is adjuvant-free.
6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the Gly E antigen has the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2.
7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4.
8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polynucleotide sequence further comprises the sequence of the bgh polyadenylation signal SEQ ID NO: 6.
9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one epitope of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) Gly E antigen is operably connected to the long CMV promoter, wherein the long CMV promoter has the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.
10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the viral vector sequence is as in ECACC accession number 12052403 (ChAdOx1).
11. The composition of claim 1 wherein the viral vector comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 (ChAdOx2).
12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is configured such that administration of a single dose of the composition to a mammalian subject induces protective immunity in the subject.
13. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is configured to induce an immune response against VZV in a subject by administration of the composition to the subject.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is configured such that annual administration to a subject is capable of inducing an immune response against VZV in the subject.
17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is configured for use in preventing VZV infection in a subject by administration of the composition to the subject.
18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is configured for use in prevention of shingles in a subject by administration of the composition to the subject.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. A method of inducing an immune response against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in a mammalian subject, the method comprising the steps of administering at least one dose of the composition of claim 1 to the subject.
27. A method of preventing shingles in a mammalian subject, the method comprising the steps of administering at least one dose of the composition of claim 1 to the subject.
28. (canceled)
29. (canceled)
30. The method of claim 26 wherein the composition is administered annually.
31. The method of claim 26 wherein the composition is administered by a route of administration selected from the group consisting of subcutaneous, intradermal and intramuscular administration.
32. (canceled)
33. (canceled)
34. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is configured for use in treatment or prevention of chickenpox in a subject.
US17/291,879 2018-11-06 2019-11-05 Compositions and methods Pending US20220001007A1 (en)

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EP (1) EP3876984A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2022506410A (en)
KR (1) KR20210090208A (en)
CN (1) CN113226364A (en)
AU (1) AU2019374480A1 (en)
CA (1) CA3118641A1 (en)
GB (1) GB201818084D0 (en)
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